HC Deb 16 February 2000 vol 344 cc557-8W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the quinquennial review of Companies House will take place; and what the terms of reference for the review will be. [110934]

Mr. Alan Johnson

I am today launching the Quinquennial Review of Companies House.

Agencies and non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are at the heart of our programme to modernise government. The Government are committed to achieving better public services that are of higher quality and are more responsive to the needs of the people who use them. Regular Agency and NDPB reviews are an important element in ensuring that we have in place the right structures to deliver the Government's agenda effectively and to provide a strong focus on improving future performance.

The terms of reference for the Review of Companies House are: To consider and to make recommendations regarding: First, the organisational status which would be most appropriate for the operation and policy of Companies House in the future, taking into account its contribution to the objectives of the Department and of the Government as a whole, including the Modernising Government agenda, developments in the national and international legislative, regulatory and commercial environment; and Second, whether any changes should be made to the way in which Companies House operates, including its aims and objectives, targets and financial controls; the scope of the activities undertaken; and whether its activities could be done more effectively. In carrying out both stages of the review, the views of customers, staff and their trade unions, consumers and other interested parties will be fully taken into account. The review is to be undertaken in accordance with the latest Cabinet Office guidance, published on 31 January 2000.

The Review will be carried out by officials in the Department of Trade and Industry, with specialist advice as appropriate. The work of the Review Team will be overseen by a Steering Group chaired by the Director General of Competition and Markets and including an independent member. The aim will be to complete the review within about six months, as recommended in the Cabinet Office guidance.

As indicated in the terms of reference, the Review Team is seeking the views of interested parties. A questionnaire is available from:

  • Companies House Review Team
  • Department of Trade and Industry
  • Bay 104
  • 151 Buckingham Palace Road
  • London SW1W 9SS
  • tel: 020 7215 1548
  • email: cca.comments@lond02.dti.gov.uk

Comments should be sent to the same address by 17 March 2000.