asked the President of the Board of Trade how many people, during the last five years, he has authorised as auditors of companies under that part of Section 161 (1) (b) of the Companies Act, 1948, which gives him the power of authorisation for those people who satisfy him as having obtained adequate knowledge and experience in the course of their employment by a member of a body of accountants recognised for the purposes of Section 161 (1) (a) of the Act.

Fifty-eight in the five years ended 31st December, 1960.