Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 17 July 1998. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what steps she has taken to ensure that the relocation and rationalisation of Companies House in 1999 will not result in a reduced level of service.

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to ensure that the relocation and rationalisation of Companies House in 1999 will not result in a reduced level of service. [49966] Mr. Ian McCartney: The move of the Companies House London office to new premises at the end of 1998 will coincide with the introduction of new facilities for the on-line electronic delivery of information. The existing premium and standard microfiche service will continue to be provided until the current office closes in Autumn 1999. Alternative arrangements for those customers who continue to want to use microfiche will then be available from the Cardiff office, although it will not be possible to provide the current speed of service. I am confident, however, that the new facilities, offering a combination of traditional microfiche and newer electronic services, will lead to an improved service overall for customers.

Secondary information