Clause 797
Company Law Reform Bill [Lords]
12:00 pm

Jonathan Djanogly (Shadow Solicitor General (Also Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry), Law Officers (Assist the Home Affairs Team); Huntingdon, Conservative)

I beg to move amendment No. 396, in clause 797, page 388, line 10, leave out subsections (4) and (5).

The clause provides for individual members or debenture holders to have the right to require information to be sent in paper copy form. On the basis of advice from the Law Society, Lord Sharman moved an amendment on behalf the Liberal Democrats to leave out subsection (4) as it contains criminal sanctions that were felt not to be appropriate in so far as they are disproportionate to the offence that is committed. The Minister at the time said that he would discuss that with his advisers and I should be grateful if we could have an update on the position.

Margaret Hodge (Minister of State (Industry and the Regions), Department of Trade and Industry; Barking, Labour)

Our position is unchanged. Our view is that the criminal sanction is proportionate and consistent with that provided in clauses 415 and 416, which give a member a similar right to ask for a copy of the annual report. Our position is unchanged.

Jonathan Djanogly (Shadow Solicitor General (Also Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry), Law Officers (Assist the Home Affairs Team); Huntingdon, Conservative)

I cannot say that I am particularly pleased to hear that the Government’s position is unchanged, but that is certainly an update on the position that was discussed in the Lords. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.