To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many complaints were received by the Insolvency Service in each year since 2002; how many of these complaints related to the fees charged by insolvency practitioners acting as trustees in individual bankruptcy cases; and if he will make a statement. (152508)

The main function of the Insolvency Service is to administer individual bankruptcies and companies wound up by the court. Complaints received by the Insolvency Service mainly relate to those activities. The Insolvency Service’s financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March, details of complaints received for the years 2002-03 to 2005-06 are set out as follows:

Complaints about insolvency practitioners are directed to the appropriate authorising body where the insolvency practitioner is not authorised by the Secretary of State.

The Insolvency Service does not maintain specific data for complaints relating to the fees charged by insolvency practitioners acting as trustees in individual bankruptcy cases.

The primary responsibility for agreeing an office holder’s remuneration rests with the creditors and there are legislative provisions that enable the court to consider challenges to the amount of remuneration charged or allowed. As the legislation provides for such an appeal process I am unable to consider such complaints.