§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what timetable the Treasury has set for reviewing the audit requirements for industrial and provident societies once the Department of Trade and Industry has completed its review of company law. [145525]
§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proposals he has to amend industrial and provident society legislation to make it consistent with existing company law; and if he will make a statement; [145372]
(2) what steps he has taken to review the law relating to industrial and provident societies; and if he will make a statement; [145495]
(3) what plans he has to bring forward proposals to update legislation relating to industrial and provident societies; and if he will make a statement. [145496]
§ Ruth KellyThe Government are keen to see, where appropriate, a level playing field between industrial and provident societies and companies. We are currently examining our options for taking forward this agenda. However, in order to provide for a strategic, consistent and up-to-date approach between companies and societies, the Government believe that the general modernisation of industrial and provident society legislation in this area should be considered in the light of the DTI's planned major reform of company law,424W announced in the "Modernising Company Law" White Paper published in July 2002. The timetable for reviewing the audit requirements will be determined by the timetable for the review of company law.