§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms in the UK have ceased trading since May 1997 [89315]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 1 July 1999]: Companies House maintain statistics on the number of companies in liquidation and/or dissolution in England, Wales and Scotland. During the period from 5 May 1997 to 27 June 1999, 105,540 companies were reported as dissolved by means of the voluntary procedures contained in Section 652A of the Companies Act 1985 and 1989. 118,227 were dissolved other than by Section 652A and 38,554 were dissolved following liquidation, making a total of 262,321. As of 27 June 1999, 69,479 companies were in course of liquidation. (The corresponding figure for 4 May 1997 was 76,763.)