§ 18 Page 16, line 42, leave out from beginning to end of line 31 on page 17.
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 18. I should like, at the same time, to speak also to Amendments Nos. 32, 33, 34, 77 and 152, 153 and 154. These amendments form part of a restructuring of Chapter 5 of Part XI of the Companies Act 1985 which concerns the appointment of, the powers of and the dismissal of auditors.
The restructuring is necessary as a consequence of the new provisions on auditors in Part II of the Bill and in order to complete the provisions made in the Bill for the new elective regime for private companies. The amendments essentially pave the way for Amendment No. 155 which largely replaces that chapter of the Companies Act with amended provisions. As the noble Lord, Lord Williams, has asked that we speak to this amendment when we reach Part V of the Bill, I must ask your Lordships to accept these amendments on trust.
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment.—(Lord Strathclyde.)
§ Lord Williams of ElvelMy Lords, I am delighted to accept anything on trust from the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde. I shall speak to Amendment No. 155 in some detail when we reach that stage in our deliberations. It is the substantive amendment in the whole matter. However, in the meantime I am happy that the noble Lord should speak to these amendments. We have no problem in that respect.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.