Corporate Governance

Victoria Atkins Excerpts

1st reading: House of Commons
Tuesday 29th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I observe in passing that there is an undiluted sea of men seeking to catch the eye of the Chair. If a female Member were to stand, she would be called, but at the moment she is not, so she will not.

[Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

If that was a serious bid, I call Victoria Atkins.

[Hon. Members]

Hear, hear!

[Victoria Atkins]

I welcome this statement. Will my right hon. Friend assist the House by saying how the plans tie in with the need to ensure that business owners comply with not only the letter of the law, but the spirit? I am thinking in particular of the Companies Act 2006 and corporate governance failures that have led to prosecutions—something that may be relevant when the hon. Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis) talks about BHS.

[Mr Speaker]

She is not a barrister for nothing.