To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on when the consultation process on corporate governance will end. [78295]

The Department is playing an active role in promoting discussion on issues relating to good corporate governance both within the United Kingdom and in international fora. The rules on the governance of companies are, for example, being considered by the major review of company law announced by the Government in March 1998. The review is planning to publish a consultation document on key areas of corporate governance around the turn of the year.