Company Law Reform Bill [HL]

My Lords, I wonder if I could ask my noble friend a question in relation to four amendments in this group: Amendments Nos. 66 to 69. I apologise for not raising the concern in Committee. Amendments were moved then that touched on the problem but not quite so precisely as my question. They relate to Clause 149, which provides that the Secretary of State can make regulations amending the particulars of directors to be registered. My question is: would such regulations cover a requirement for UK-registered companies to declare beneficial ownership and end the practice of directors of registered companies being themselves companies unless beneficial ownership can be shown? The advantages of such a requirement are that the secret use of shell companies to shield money laundering and corrupt dealings can be prevented, as the report from the All-Party Group on Africa—the other side of the coin—recommended.