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Companies Bill [HL]

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 785 to 832. These amendments essentially restate provisions of the current law. Noble Lords will remember that, at an earlier stage, we introduced into the Bill a new administrative procedure by which companies which have been erroneously struck off the register can be restored to life, so to speak. We also introduced new clauses to streamline the existing court procedures for restoration. It is clearly illogical that the new provisions on restoration to the register should appear in the Bill but that the provisions on striking off from the register, to which they logically relate, should remain in the 1985 Act. These amendments therefore restate the relevant provisions of the 1985 Act, as amended by provisions introduced in this House, alongside the new provisions, so that the Bill will now set out the full regime governing both dissolution and restoration. In undertaking the restatement, we have made no significant changes of policy but we have benefited from close scrutiny of the clauses by the Law Society and others. A number of drafting changes have been incorporated as a result. Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 785 to 832.—(Lord McKenzie of Luton.) On Question, Motion agreed to.