§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect publication of the White Paper due to be issued by the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the recommendations made by the Cork Committee on Insolvency Law and Practice.
§ Lord LyellMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government intend to publish a White Paper outlining their proposals for a revised framework for insolvency law within the next two weeks with a view to early legislation.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, while being pleasantly surprised by that information, can the noble Lord please tell the House whether it means that there is no truth in the rumours circulating that the Cork Report will be put back in the queue and preceded by discussion of Professor Gower's 92 propositions, which I believe the Government are now considering?
§ Lord LyellMy Lords, we are very pleased that we are able to give the noble Baroness such good news about the swift publication of this White Paper. I have heard nothing about rumours. I look forward to discussing with the noble Baroness in which newspapers I can read them.
§ Lord LeatherlandMy Lords, can the Minister please explain why, in view of the prosperity promised by the Tory Party at the last election, there are insolvencies in the country today?
§ Lord LyellMy Lords, perhaps they might be acts of God, not of the Tory Party.
§ Lord LeatherlandMy Lords, are they not identical?