Company Law Reform Bill

It might be convenient to the Committee if I raise our one concern at this stage, so that other noble Lords can express their views. First, I very much welcome all these amendments. They improve the wording of the Bill and its operation. One central concern remains. Perhaps the Minister can alleviate my concerns. In Clause 219(4)(b) the registrar is not obliged,"““to omit from the material that is available for public inspection anything registered before the certificate was issued””." It may be that my concerns are ill-founded, but this has caused a good deal of concern among directors of companies that at present are either under siege—literally in some cases—or being criticised and where they might be pursued, either physically or in writing at their home addresses. I am seeking some reassurance that the registrar will take all practical steps to remove existing addresses from the record. One appreciates that there is an enormous amount of information, and that not all of if is stored electronically. A lot of it dates back many years. The lingering doubt remains with many directors, although they welcome the new simplified, responsive, excellent system, that they still may be hostages to fortune. I would be grateful if the Minister, in response to this brief debate, could provide some assurances.