of the firms is a government contractor. On the deterrence side of the act, jail terms of a maximum of five years for directors was introduced in order to increase deterrence for forming cartels. The competition commission also had its scope widened to cover investigations of whole industries, not just specific firm, for example the supermarket industry. Insolvency reforms Companies The Enterprise Act made substantial amendments to the administration procedures for failing companies. The purpose was to enhance the policy of creating a "rescue culture", so that insolvent companies so far as possible should be saved, before their assets are stripped and distributed to creditors. s 248: Replacement of Part II of Insolvency Act 1986 s 249: Special administration regimes s 250: Prohibition of appointment of administrative receiver s 251: Abolition of Crown preference s 252: Unsecured creditors s 253: Liquidator's powers s 254: Application of insolvency law to foreign company s 255: Application of law about company arrangement or administration to non-company Individuals Since 1 April 2004, there have been considerable changes to the laws concerning bankruptcy in England. Previously, bankruptcy would typically last for a period of between 2 and 3 years, but now the majority of bankruptcies will be discharged after only 12 months. The law was changed to give those with genuine cases of financial hardship the opportunity to be free of their indebtedness. For those who have tried, unsuccessfully, to resolve their financial difficulties, the new laws allow them to petition for their own bankruptcy and start again. Additional changes also mean that there are harsher restrictions for those who have previously been made bankrupt and those who have been through criminal bankruptcy. Individuals previously an undischarged bankrupt during the 15 years before the current bankruptcy (unless the previous bankruptcy was annulled) were automatically discharged on 1 April 2009. A bankrupt may ask the court for a discharge 5 years after the date of the bankruptcy order, but the court can refuse or delay the discharge, or grant it conditionally on terms requiring some payments to be made out of the individual'a income. A person can become free from bankruptcy immediately if the court annuls (cancels) the bankruptcy order, which normally happens when the debts (including any fees and expenses of the bankruptcy proceedings) have been paid in full or if the bankruptcy order was made in error. Alternatively, if a person has failed to