HC Deb 13 January 2004 vol 416 cc691-2W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will investigate the fees paid to firms charged with undertaking the receipt of companies into administration. [146496]

Mr. Sutcliffe

Neither my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State nor the Chancellor of the Exchequer have any power to intervene in the fees charged by administrators. Rule 2.47 of the Insolvency Rules 1986 sets out the basis for fixing their remuneration and, where it is not fixed by the creditors' committee or the creditors, the administrator may apply to the court.