Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2009

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Razzall, for that comment. The Acts have been implemented in stages, which will need to be reflected in our evaluation. We will begin to evaluate some provisions commenced in 2007 next year, but we will wait until 2011 to evaluate most provisions commenced in October 2009. The regulations for LLPs come into effect on 1 October 2009, in line with the implementation date for the remaining provisions of the Companies Act 2006 for companies. We will take steps to ensure that LLPs know about these changes, particularly the new register of members, given the importance of the situation in which they find themselves. Companies House will send a mailshot to all LLPs telling them about the changes. It will highlight the new requirement to keep a register of members available for inspection, and it will mention that a failure to do so will be an offence. Guidance and specimen forms will be available on the Companies House website from 1 July. We will look at the drafting point raised by the ICAEW to see whether it needs amendment. No consensus has emerged about how or whether to change the way in which we regulate overseas LLPs. The regulations before us therefore continue the approach in the existing regulations. I believe that I have dealt with all the questions. I am grateful to noble Lords for their contributions to this debate. The regulations represent the last step towards the application of the Companies Act 2006 to limited liability partnerships. They ensure that the regulations under which LLPs form and operate are in step with modern company law. In summary, by applying the remaining provisions of the Companies Act 2006 to LLPs, as set out in the regulations, where necessary and appropriate, we make essential changes to align the requirements for LLPs with those for companies. This will ensure that LLPs enjoy some of the same benefits and savings as companies, and remain an attractive and distinctive corporate vehicle for business, with different characteristics from companies and other types of partnerships. I commend these regulations to the Committee. Motion agreed.