Book excerpt: The deep-seated problems within the pub industry and in particular the relationship between pub companies and their lessees, who run pubs, have been the subject of repeated scrutiny by Parliamentary select committees. Earlier reports on this subject having been published as HC 128-I & II, session 2004-5 (ISBNs 9780215021007, 9780215022653), HC 434, session 2004--05 (ISBN 9780215022868), HC 503, session 2009-10 (ISBN 9780215545510), HC 138, session 2009-10 (ISBN 9780215544377) ; and HC 26-I, session 2008-09 (ISBN 9780215530127). Each Committee report challenged the industry to deliver meaningful reform and on every occasion the industry was found wanting. The latest follow-up, HC 138 of session 2009-10 delivered a final ultimatum to the industry. It was stated that if the Business Innovation and Skills Committee concludes by then that the Code is not working as well as it should be it would consult on putting the Code on a statutory basis with effective enforcement. The present Government has confirmed that it would continue that policy. This report is an assessment of the recommendations made by the committee and what the response has been from the industry. The committee concludes that 'it is now time for the Government to act on its undertaking' and cautions the Government that offering a compromise of non-statutory intervention would be a departure from its undertaking and would not bring about meaningful reform that is needed