Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many financial penalties have been awarded in relation to the direction requiring a company to make appointment under section 156(6) of the Companies Act 2006 since 1 January 2015.

When a company that is actively trading does not have a natural director (a director who is an individual rather than a corporate body), Companies House will (on behalf of the Secretary of State) issue a direction requiring the company to appoint one. Companies House's primary aim will be to try to achieve compliance. If the company does not comply, the case will be referred to prosecutors and a prosecution will be bought if it is deemed to be in the public interest. In the event of a conviction the Court would impose the appropriate penalty. However, to date, all companies have either complied with the direction issued by Companies House or prosecution action has not been in the public interest as defined in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.