§ 43. Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures he proposes to take to enable investors to make fair comparisons of company performance.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Companies Bill contains provisions that will make it easier for investors to compare the performance of different companies. The Bill will implement the European Community's 7th directive on company law, thereby harmonising disclosure requirements for consolidated accounts, helping to tackle the problem of off-balance sheet financing, and improving the presentation of the effects of mergers and acquisitions in some company accounts. The Government will also continue to support the efforts of the accountancy profession to make it easier to compare financial statements by the development of accounting standard.