148.— The Bankruptcy Act 1988 is amended by the substitution of the following for section 15:

“Adjudication on debtor’s petition.

15.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), where the petition for adjudication is presented by the debtor the Court may, where it considers it appropriate to do so, and where it is satisfied that the debtor is unable to meet his engagements with his creditors and that the requirements of section 11(4) and (5) have been complied with, by order adjudicate the debtor a bankrupt.

(2) Before making an order under subsection (1), the Court shall consider the nature and value of the assets available to the debtor, the extent of his liabilities, and whether the debtor’s inability to meet his engagements could, having regard to those matters and the contents of the debtor’s statement of affairs filed with the Court, be more appropriately dealt with by means of—

(a) a Debt Settlement Arrangement, or

(b) a Personal Insolvency Arrangement,

and where the Court forms such an opinion the court may adjourn the hearing of the petition to allow the debtor an opportunity to enter into such of those arrangements as is specified by the Court in adjourning the hearing.”.