Precis Ltd

B.Coleman made this Freedom of Information request to Companies House This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.

The request was successful.

Dear Companies House,

Under rights afforded to me by the FOI 2000 Act I require information from Companies House.

I am part of an international team of researchers interested in UK companies and their formation.

Whilst using your search facility the following happens:

When you type the name "Precis Ltd" into section 1, then tick the "previous names" box in section 2, you are directed to many pages of companies who were previously named Precis(numerical suffix)Ltd.

In order to complete our research please confirm the exact number of Companies that were previously called Precis (numerical suffix)Ltd.

Yours faithfully,

B.Coleman

Ceri Harnett, Companies House

Dear Mr Coleman
Thank you for your request below, I am currently looking into the
information you require and will be in touch as soon as possible.

Kind regards

Ceri Harnett
Information Rights Team
>>> "B.Coleman" <[FOI #61256 email]> 04/02/2011
17:23 >>>
Dear Companies House,

Under rights afforded to me by the FOI 2000 Act I require
information from Companies House.

I am part of an international team of researchers interested in UK
companies and their formation.

Whilst using your search facility the following happens:

When you type the name "Precis Ltd" into section 1, then tick the
"previous names" box in section 2, you are directed to many pages
of companies who were previously named Precis(numerical suffix)Ltd.

In order to complete our research please confirm the exact number
of Companies that were previously called Precis (numerical
suffix)Ltd.

Yours faithfully,

B.Coleman

show quoted sections

Ceri Harnett, Companies House

Dear Mr Coleman

Thank you for your requests for information under the Freedom of
Information Act.

You asked why there are numerous companies on the register which all
previously had the names Hackremco (numerical suffix) Ltd, Trushelfco
(numerical suffix) Ltd and Precis (numerical suffix) Ltd

Firstly I should explain that Companies House function is the collection
and dissemination of information regarding limited companies and
businesses that operate in the UK. All statutory documents submitted by
companies for filing are examined and provided they meet the requirements
of the Companies Act, are placed on the public register. It is not for
Companies House to comment on why companies are named in any way or
comment on the purpose behind the formation of a company.

As explained, I am unable to comment on the reasons why these names were
used though I am aware that it has been common practice for Company
Formation Agents and other organisations to create ‘off the shelf’
companies ahead of time. This provided a facility for individuals,
companies or businesses to purchase them from the agents and after a
change of name, for them to start trading immediately. However, I must
emphasise that I am unable to confirm that this was the reason for the
names in question.

You also asked for the numbers of these companies previously called
Hackremco (numerical suffix) Ltd Trushelfco (numerical suffix) Ltd and
Precis (numerical suffix) Ltd

As you are aware the list of all these particular companies is available
to you free of charge via a search of our public register, via the method
you describe in your email. Whilst the numbers of, or total amount of
these companies is not displayed it can be calculated manually from the
list.

Under the Freedom of Information legislation any information that is
reasonably accessible to you is exempt from disclosure under the Act. As
it is provided on the public register, Companies House does consider the
information you require to be reasonably accessible.

However, to be of some assistance in this instance, I have provided the
requested information:

Number of companies previously called Hackremco (numerical suffix) Ltd -
2580

Number of companies previously called Trushelfco (numerical suffix) Ltd -
3167

Number of companies previously called Precis (numerical suffix) Ltd - 4959

I hope you will understand that any future requests of this nature will
have to be refused under section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act for
the reasons explained above.

I believe that I have fully answered your requests for information, but if
you have any queries about this email, please contact me. Please remember
to quote the relevant reference numbers above in any future
communications.

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
requests and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our response,
you should write to me, within two calendar months of the date of this
email and I will ensure that it is forwarded to a senior member of
Companies House who has had no previous involvement in this case and they
will undertake the review.

If you are then not content with the outcome of your review, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by us. The Information Commissioner can be contacted
at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Ceri Harnett

Information Rights Team

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Dear Ceri Harnett,

Thank you for your help with this FOI request.

Kind regards,

B.Coleman