HC Deb 30 March 1999 vol 328 c665W
Mr. Loughton

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will announce the timetable for the introduction of legislation to enable cash and fund-of-fund open-ended investment companies to be launched in the UK domestic market; and when authorisation of cash and fund-of-fund open-ended investment companies will enable ISA providers to promote such companies as an alternative to authorised unit trust schemes. [79344]

Ms Hewitt

The Financial Services and Markets Bill will include a provision to make orders allowing the formation of a wide range of open-ended investment companies (oeics). The aim will be to create a single corporate code for all authorised oeics. The Financial Services Authority will then be able to authorise oeics with a broad range of investment objectives. These could include cash and fund-of-fund open-ended investment companies.

Existing cash and fund-of-fund authorised unit trusts are eligible for inclusion in ISAs. Changes to the tax regulations permitting cash and fund-of-fund open-ended investment companies to be offered as ISA products will be introduced once these are established in law and are authorised by the Financial Services Authority.

Forward to