Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill

Baroness Garden of Frognal Excerpts

Committee stage
Monday 27th March 2023 Grand Committee

[Lord Clement-Jones (LD)]

May I just clarify for the Minister that it would be very unfortunate if he pressed his amendment? If he pressed it and lost it in Committee, I do not think he could bring back exactly the same amendment on Report. That is the rule: he would have to bring back something different on Report, even if all the officials and legal advice said that it was a perfectly sound clause—he may well get advice on that. I suggest that he withdraws it so that we do not have to vote against it.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness Garden of Frognal) (LD)]

My Lords, I advise that, if the amendment is voted against, it is negatived.

[Lord Johnson of Lainston (Con)]

My Lords, I am extremely grateful to noble Lords for their input. I hope they felt, over the last few hours of very productive debate, that the intentions of this Government and the speakers in this debate are entirely aligned: to try to create the right structure for Companies House and the right penalties and compliance regime. Given that, and my gratitude to the Committee for the constructive discussion, I beg leave to withdraw this amendment, with the understanding that we may easily return with something identical on Report, having followed a good degree of debate and discussion on that point.