asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce (a) the total number of companies on the companies register, (b) the number which has not filed up-to-date returns and (c) the number who were two, three, four and more years in default.
Written Answers. - Companies' Statistics.
61.
The total number of companies on the register on 2 December 1987 was 108,631.
The number of companies which have not filed up-to-date annual returns is 67,761. The numbers two, three and four years out of date are 6,336, 7,545 and 7,119 respectively. 21,365 companies are out of date by less than two years.
The Deputy will be aware of the ongoing computerisation programme in the Companies Registration Office. Since computerisation the position in regard to up-to-date returns has improved 100 per cent, from a compliance rate of 20 per cent to a current rate in excess of 40 per cent. Over 25,000 annual return reminders have issued to companies in this period and by the end of this year about 5,000 companies will have been struck off the register for non-submission of returns. A new procedure for automatic prosecution of defaulting companies is also being introduced.