---

Companies Bill [Lords]

This has been an interesting series of exchanges. I am left to puzzle about what my hon. and learned Friend the Minister has just told us—that a court can override a limited liability agreement. A number of people will ponder carefully what circumstances might give rise to that situation. She has indicated that there will be regulations to cover consultation on the introduction of a limited liability agreement. Although, to be frank, I do not find her initial remarks on that point entirely satisfactory, there will at any rate be a consultation in which we can all take part. At an early age I was taught to believe that confession and repentance were more important than righteousness, so I considered carefully whether I should ask the House to divide on the new clause and on amendment No. 763. However, as I believe that in due course the Government will come to repent the approach of limiting liability, and I fear that to force a Division would only slow down that process, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn.