It will be clearer and more accessible in the sense that the constraints on someone using it in a way that we would not regard as justified—I am not sure that there is much difference in our view on that—are quite strong. Yes, the procedures that I have set out...

It will be clearer and more accessible in the sense that the constraints on someone using it in a way that we would not regard as justified—I am not sure that there is much difference in our view on that—are quite strong. Yes, the procedures that I have set out...

The Minister says that the procedure will be clearer and more accessible. One of our concerns is that the fact that the procedure is clearer and more accessible will mean that more people will want to use it and therefore there will be more litigation.

The Minister says that the procedure will be clearer and more accessible. One of our concerns is that the fact that the procedure is clearer and more accessible will mean that more people will want to use it and therefore there will be more litigation.

If the hon. Gentleman had been here earlier in the debate, he would realise that I do not agree with that point at all. If the director has behaved inappropriately, we want the shareholder to be able to take a course of derivative action that will enable them to enforce...

If the hon. Gentleman had been here earlier in the debate, he would realise that I do not agree with that point at all. If the director has behaved inappropriately, we want the shareholder to be able to take a course of derivative action that will enable them to enforce...

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way, but I know that he wants to read the note that his colleagues have passed to him. Does he agree that the net upshot of the clause is that more people can be sued under it than previously?

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way, but I know that he wants to read the note that his colleagues have passed to him. Does he agree that the net upshot of the clause is that more people can be sued under it than previously?

Under these provisions, there will be a wider variety of people who can be sued, it will be possible to sue people for a greater variety of offences, and there will be a more straightforward procedure by which to sue people, which I think the Minister called a clearer and...

Under these provisions, there will be a wider variety of people who can be sued, it will be possible to sue people for a greater variety of offences, and there will be a more straightforward procedure by which to sue people, which I think the Minister called a clearer and...

I certainly agree that a successful company will have regard to many of the items set out in the list in clause 173. That is not in dispute. However, the experts are saying that for companies to be able to show that they have complied with the clause will require...

I certainly agree that a successful company will have regard to many of the items set out in the list in clause 173. That is not in dispute. However, the experts are saying that for companies to be able to show that they have complied with the clause will require...

The hon. Gentleman conceded in Committee and today that successful companies do these things anyway, and do so while being successful, so how does he equate the two and why does he see it as burdensome?

The hon. Gentleman conceded in Committee and today that successful companies do these things anyway, and do so while being successful, so how does he equate the two and why does he see it as burdensome?

I remind the House that I have declared my interest as a company director in the register. Taking for an example the part of the clause on the environment, does my hon. Friend think that it means that a company director would have to do more than simply comply with...

I remind the House that I have declared my interest as a company director in the register. Taking for an example the part of the clause on the environment, does my hon. Friend think that it means that a company director would have to do more than simply comply with...

No. I shall finish my point. If the audience is a campaigning body, the Government’s tactics seem to change. They go on to talk about the concept of enlightened shareholder value and how it will change things. For instance, I mentioned the conflicting statements made by the Minister and the...

No. I shall finish my point. If the audience is a campaigning body, the Government’s tactics seem to change. They go on to talk about the concept of enlightened shareholder value and how it will change things. For instance, I mentioned the conflicting statements made by the Minister and the...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

I shall make progress. The Government change their viewpoint, depending on the audience.

I shall make progress. The Government change their viewpoint, depending on the audience.

That is entirely up to the official Opposition, as my right hon. Friend knows. I was reflecting on the fact that there is a great deal of interest in these matters outside this place. Therefore, although we should not judge the quality of an issue on the size of the...

That is entirely up to the official Opposition, as my right hon. Friend knows. I was reflecting on the fact that there is a great deal of interest in these matters outside this place. Therefore, although we should not judge the quality of an issue on the size of the...

That is an important point, and good businesses do approach such matters in that way. What we are trying to create through the Bill, perhaps as amended, is a level playing field to ensure that they are not disadvantaged for giving emphasis to these important matters. I emphasise that what...

That is an important point, and good businesses do approach such matters in that way. What we are trying to create through the Bill, perhaps as amended, is a level playing field to ensure that they are not disadvantaged for giving emphasis to these important matters. I emphasise that what...

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I note that he said that the clause is pro-business. Given the changing environment and the concern about environmental issues in this country, does he agree that good businesses will look to be responsible in any event, because they must move with the times...

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I note that he said that the clause is pro-business. Given the changing environment and the concern about environmental issues in this country, does he agree that good businesses will look to be responsible in any event, because they must move with the times...

Several of the objectives, such as looking after the environment and caring about one’s employees, are issues that all good companies would have no difficulty in addressing. Those that experience such difficulty should be put in a position in which it is unacceptable for them to continue in such a...

Several of the objectives, such as looking after the environment and caring about one’s employees, are issues that all good companies would have no difficulty in addressing. Those that experience such difficulty should be put in a position in which it is unacceptable for them to continue in such a...

Indeed, British companies have to obey British law. The provision would put the obligation at the centre of company law, where it would be firmly on the agenda. It would also apply to the behaviour of British companies in their overseas operations, as British statute law does not. I want...

Indeed, British companies have to obey British law. The provision would put the obligation at the centre of company law, where it would be firmly on the agenda. It would also apply to the behaviour of British companies in their overseas operations, as British statute law does not. I want...

I am keen that companies should do their bit for the environment, but can the hon. Gentleman explain what the provision about the environment adds to the big body of environmental legislation and regulation that companies rightly have to observe at present?

I am keen that companies should do their bit for the environment, but can the hon. Gentleman explain what the provision about the environment adds to the big body of environmental legislation and regulation that companies rightly have to observe at present?

That indicates some of the difficulties that the Conservative party has on this issue. Frankly, to regard all 650 duties—I take the hon. Gentleman’s word for the fact that there are 650—as of equal weight and value is not credible and does not stand up to scrutiny. Looking after one’s...

That indicates some of the difficulties that the Conservative party has on this issue. Frankly, to regard all 650 duties—I take the hon. Gentleman’s word for the fact that there are 650—as of equal weight and value is not credible and does not stand up to scrutiny. Looking after one’s...

My right hon. Friend makes an important point. It can be argued that the law would not be expanded. However, companies have told us that dealing with it on a daily basis will involve going through more red tape, setting out the steps that they take when reaching decisions in...

My right hon. Friend makes an important point. It can be argued that the law would not be expanded. However, companies have told us that dealing with it on a daily basis will involve going through more red tape, setting out the steps that they take when reaching decisions in...

The hon. Gentleman should hang around for a bit, as he might find that that is no longer the case. The Government appear to have changed their mind on that matter, and very glad we are about it, too. There is a problem with amendment No. 762. I do not...

The hon. Gentleman should hang around for a bit, as he might find that that is no longer the case. The Government appear to have changed their mind on that matter, and very glad we are about it, too. There is a problem with amendment No. 762. I do not...