asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that certain limited liability companies have refused to issue an annual balance sheet to their shareholders; and if he will take the necessary legislative steps to compel companies to do so.

Section 113, sub-section (3), of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, provides that any shareholder shall be entitled to be furnished with a copy of the balance sheet and auditors' report at a charge not exceeding 6d. for every hundred words; and Section 114 provides that, except in the case of a private company, or a company registered before the 1st July, 1908, holders of preference shares and debentures shall be similarly entitled. I am not aware of the refusal referred to by the Deputy, but if he will let me have particulars of any contravention of the statutory provisions, I will take suitable action.