My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Lord, Lord Harrison, for introducing this debate and for giving me the opportunity to make a few remarks about trade and business with Morocco. As your Lordships will know, I was appointed the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Morocco at the end of...

My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Lord, Lord Harrison, for introducing this debate and for giving me the opportunity to make a few remarks about trade and business with Morocco. As your Lordships will know, I was appointed the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Morocco at the end of...

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in evaluating the business reviews being published by companies under the Companies Act 2006.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in evaluating the business reviews being published by companies under the Companies Act 2006.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is produced for companies on narrative reporting in the light of the financial crisis and the Climate Change Act 2008.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance is produced for companies on narrative reporting in the light of the financial crisis and the Climate Change Act 2008.

I, too, declare an interest as a director and chairman of a number of companies, all of which are set out in the register of interests of your Lordships’ House. Like the noble Lord, Lord Hodgson, I support the consolidation that we have managed to achieve. I shall go back...

I, too, declare an interest as a director and chairman of a number of companies, all of which are set out in the register of interests of your Lordships’ House. Like the noble Lord, Lord Hodgson, I support the consolidation that we have managed to achieve. I shall go back...

Draft Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc.) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc.) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, again I will not delay your Lordships long. The order, which brings into effect a regime of regulation for the conduct of statutory audits and their auditors, has been debated widely and has been the subject of much consultation. It is very welcome that this replaces the old...

My Lords, again I will not delay your Lordships long. The order, which brings into effect a regime of regulation for the conduct of statutory audits and their auditors, has been debated widely and has been the subject of much consultation. It is very welcome that this replaces the old...

My Lords, I will not delay your Lordships long on a day when matters of significant moment have been debated. By and large, these measures are very welcome. There is a clear need to update the fines and penalties for late filing and it is absolutely right that the arrangements...

My Lords, I will not delay your Lordships long on a day when matters of significant moment have been debated. By and large, these measures are very welcome. There is a clear need to update the fines and penalties for late filing and it is absolutely right that the arrangements...

Draft Companies (Late Filing Penalties) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalties) Regulations 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft Companies (Late Filing Penalties) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalties) Regulations 2008. Lords debate on a motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, I first declare an interest as a chairman and director of listed companies in the UK, the full details of which are set out in the Register of Lords’ Interests. I am also a former chairman of the audit firm, KPMG International. I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord...

My Lords, I first declare an interest as a chairman and director of listed companies in the UK, the full details of which are set out in the Register of Lords’ Interests. I am also a former chairman of the audit firm, KPMG International. I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

My Lords, I shall not repeat everything that the noble Baroness said about our thanks for how the Government have responded to the concerns expressed in Committee. We now have a workable series of clauses that respond to our original concerns. Although my name is not attached to Amendment No. 391A, the...

My Lords, I shall not repeat everything that the noble Baroness said about our thanks for how the Government have responded to the concerns expressed in Committee. We now have a workable series of clauses that respond to our original concerns. Although my name is not attached to Amendment No. 391A, the...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the response that the Government have made to the concerns I raised in Committee. Amendment No. 408 was proposed to us by the Law Society. I accept that it is a wide enabling amendment. I would like to consider carefully the impact of the government amendment and, if...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the response that the Government have made to the concerns I raised in Committee. Amendment No. 408 was proposed to us by the Law Society. I accept that it is a wide enabling amendment. I would like to consider carefully the impact of the government amendment and, if...

Yes, my Lords, I do. The only issue between us is precisely the one he mentioned up front; that is, the question of whether the words reflect what we are seeking to achieve. In the opinion of the Law Society that is not the case. I will look at what he said,...

Yes, my Lords, I do. The only issue between us is precisely the one he mentioned up front; that is, the question of whether the words reflect what we are seeking to achieve. In the opinion of the Law Society that is not the case. I will look at what he said,...

moved Amendment No. 398:"Page 252, line 36, leave out ““calculated”” and insert ““intended””" The noble Lord said: My Lords, I rise to move Amendment No. 398 and to speak to Amendments Nos. 399 to 403. These amendments go back to an issue we raised in Committee. The amendments, all in Clause 530, deal with the intention behind the issue of shares....

moved Amendment No. 398:"Page 252, line 36, leave out ““calculated”” and insert ““intended””" The noble Lord said: My Lords, I rise to move Amendment No. 398 and to speak to Amendments Nos. 399 to 403. These amendments go back to an issue we raised in Committee. The amendments, all in Clause 530, deal with the intention behind the issue of shares....

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for responding to the amendments, which were tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Hodgson. In addressing this issue I shall speak also to Amendment No. 424, which is in my name. I simply want to say that the noble Lord’s Amendment No. 423 substantially addresses the issue that we...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for responding to the amendments, which were tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Hodgson. In addressing this issue I shall speak also to Amendment No. 424, which is in my name. I simply want to say that the noble Lord’s Amendment No. 423 substantially addresses the issue that we...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his full explanation of this matter. I am content with it. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 428 not moved.] Clause 576 [Power of private companies to redeem or purchase own shares out of capital]:

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his full explanation of this matter. I am content with it. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 428 not moved.] Clause 576 [Power of private companies to redeem or purchase own shares out of capital]:

moved Amendment No. 427:"Page 276, line 26, leave out ““principal purpose”” and insert ““predominant reason””" The noble Lord said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 427, I shall speak also to Amendment No. 428, which is grouped with it. We return to the issue of a definition, and we are advised in this matter by the Law...

moved Amendment No. 427:"Page 276, line 26, leave out ““principal purpose”” and insert ““predominant reason””" The noble Lord said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 427, I shall speak also to Amendment No. 428, which is grouped with it. We return to the issue of a definition, and we are advised in this matter by the Law...

My Lords, I am extremely grateful that the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, did not give us the benefit of her wisdom on IFRS or we should still be here tomorrow. However, I agree with the noble Baronesses, Lady Goudie and Lady Noakes, that this area desperately needs attention. Incidentally, it has a much broader application...

My Lords, I am extremely grateful that the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, did not give us the benefit of her wisdom on IFRS or we should still be here tomorrow. However, I agree with the noble Baronesses, Lady Goudie and Lady Noakes, that this area desperately needs attention. Incidentally, it has a much broader application...

My Lords, I am grateful for that very full reply from the Minister, and for his acknowledgement that the amendments he mentioned will be looked at. I  hope that the Government will be bringing forward their own amendments to deal with those issues. In my mind, the issue is still unresolved. I would...

My Lords, I am grateful for that very full reply from the Minister, and for his acknowledgement that the amendments he mentioned will be looked at. I  hope that the Government will be bringing forward their own amendments to deal with those issues. In my mind, the issue is still unresolved. I would...