asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many insurance companies have gone into liquidation or ceased trading since February 1974; and if he will list them.

The following seven insurance companies have gone into liquidation since 1st February 1974:

1974	Bastion Insurance Co. Ltd.
	Cheltenham Mutual Plate Glass Insurance Society Ltd.
	Mid-Southern Hospital Contributory Association Private Patients Ltd.
	Nation Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
1975	Lincolnshire Steam Trawlers' Mutual Insurance Protection Co. Ltd,.
	Scarborough & District Plate Glass Mutual Insurance Co. Ltd.
	Stevedores Insurance Society Ltd.

In the case of the following two additional companies petitions for winding up have been presented and provisional liquidators appointed since 1st February 1974:

1974	London Indemnity & General Insurance Co. Ltd.
1975	Fidelity Life Assurance Ltd.

The following five additional companies have ceased to take on new business since 1st February 1974 as a result of a requirement made by the Secretary of State under Section 29 of the Insurance Companies Act 1974 or the corresponding provision of the Insurance Companies Amendment Act 1973:

1974	IGAL Ltd. (formerly Castle Life)
	Underwriters National Assurance Co. (USA)
1975	Argonaut Insurance Co. (USA)
	London Equity Assurance Ltd.
1976	Indemnity Guarantee Assurance Ltd.

A number of other companies are known to be no longer taking on new business.