BANKRUPTCY: BLAGDEN COMMITTEE AND JUSTICE REPORTS

HL Deb 05 February 1976 vol 367 cc1517-8WA

Lord GARDINER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept any (and if so, which) of the 69 recommendations for the improvement of the Law of Bankruptcy and Deeds of Arrangement contained in the Report of the Blagden Committee (1957) and of the 31 recommendations for the improvement of the Law of Bankruptcy contained in the Justice Report Bankruptcy (1975).

Lord W1NTERBOTTOM

The Insolvency Bill recently introduced puts forward proposals very similar to the more urgent of those contained in the Justice Report. It also makes provision for dealing with the problem of bankrupts who do not apply for discharge which was to the forefront of the Blagden Committee's consideration. The Department has also recently stated that it is starting a wider-ranging review of insolvency law generally and matters not dealt with in the reports mentioned will be considered during the course of that review. The Government will also be engaged in negotiations concerning the Draft EEC Bankruptcy Convention. I very much regret that it would take very considerable time and research to ascertain the detailed position as to all outstanding recommendations of the Blagden Committee and the Justice Report.

House adjourned at fourteen minutes past eight o'clock.