The Clause covers technical areas such as the Bill’s territorial extent, the commencement and the short title. Clause 4(1) sets out that the business rates measure relating to material changes of circumstance in clause 1 extends to England and Wales. However, the application of clause 1 is to England, meaning that in effect it applies only to England. As I said earlier, the Welsh Government yesterday announced their intention to include in the Bill provisions applying to Wales. We will work closely with them on that and take the necessary steps.

Clause 4(2) confirms that the extent of the directors disqualification measure is the same as for the provisions being amended, which means that clause 2 extends to Great Britain and clause 3 to Northern Ireland. The effect is that the measure extends to the whole UK.

Clause 4(4) and (5) deal with commencement. The business rates measure relating to material changes of circumstances will commence when the Bill is passed. The power for the Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy to investigate the conduct of former directors of dissolved companies, set out in clauses 2(3)(b) and 3(3)(b), will also commence when the Bill is passed. That will allow for the investigation process to start immediately where serious breaches of expected standards are suspected. Other provisions in clauses 2 and 3, such as the powers to seek the disqualification of former directors of dissolved companies, will commence two months after the Bill has passed.

Clause 4(6) confirms the short title of the Bill.