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Company Law Reform Bill [HL]

I suggest to the noble and learned Lord the Attorney-General that a way forward in lieu of Amendment No. 154 would be for the Department of Trade and Industry to reflect on the wisdom of issuing, in one part of a booklet or leaflet, guidance to this Bill when it becomes an Act. It could draw a clear line between that guidance, which relates to general duties and, quite separately—it should not be too difficult or risky—set out cross-references to other legislation with the appropriate disclaimer that it is not intended to be necessarily comprehensive. I take the point that some duties are accepted by convention, let alone by regulations dealing with a company’s accounts. However, it should be possible—it is not beyond the wit of man—to help allay some of the fears of those considering becoming non-executive directors if there was a document, in two parts, with a clear disclaimer on the second part that it was not intended to cross-refer to this Bill. If that could be considered, I would be grateful. On the assumption that the record will be studied and considered, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 154 agreed to. Clause 155 [Duty to act within powers]: