§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce the membership and terms of reference of the working group he has appointed to report on how insolvency and bankruptcy law can be made more enterprise-friendly. [69847]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 8 February 1999]: This work was undertaken by government officials and focused on:
The extend to which insolvency and bankruptcy laws place undue obstacles in the way of entrepreneurs who have failed but want to try again.The extent to which the law reinforces the stigma attached to business failure and thereby inhibits enterprise.The extent to which it is or would be possible to distinguish between responsible risk-takers and others.Officials reported to Ministers at the end of April and that report is under consideration.