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Companies Bill [Lords]

I will look at that point. My understanding is that directorships are increasingly being given as christening presents, and one wonders about the purpose and intent behind that. Again, I am not 100 per cent. sure that that is sensible. We will look at the point that the hon. Gentleman raises. Government amendments Nos. 715 and 717 have generally been welcomed. We have undertaken them for the practical reasons to which the hon. Member for Cambridge (David Howarth) alluded. Amendment No. 770 improves the clarity of the clause. It makes it clear that the registrar of companies must be notified on the appointment of a director and if for any reason a person ceases to be a director. The Government have moved amendments tonight in response to the consideration of the Bill in Committee. That is one reason for our having so many amendments before us. I could have taken a much harder line in Committee and resisted what on most days I thought was a sensible debate, but I think that it is good for parliamentary scrutiny that we reach the best decisions for the long-term sustainability of this Bill. I am just sorry that the Conservative Opposition do not understand the way in which we have proceeded and chose again to make cheap political points and then not to appear when they could debate the issues.