HC Deb 05 April 2001 vol 366 c245W
Mr. Goggins

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he plans to consult on the removal of the 20 partner limit on partnerships. [157149]

Mr. Byers

I am pleased to announce to the House that I have today published a consultation document proposing the removal of the 20 partner limit on partnerships.

Consultation on the abolition of the limit on the number of partners allowed in a partnership was announced as one of the Government's measures to reduce the red-tape on business by means of a Regulatory Reform Order. The removal of the 20 partner limit is a deregulatory measure that will ease the administrative burdens on larger partnerships that wish to expand.

Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of the House.