During the 2006 financial year, the Supervisory Board has been involved in detailed reviews of the company’s situation, its prospects and its strategic development, and the future long-term positioning of The Linde Group. It has also concerned itself with significant individual issues, above all the acquisition of the British company The BOC Group plc (BOC) and the sale of the Material Handling business segment. We have performed our duties in accordance with legal provisions, company statutes and company bylaws. These duties involve advising the Executive Board on the running of the company and monitoring the activities of executive management. The Executive Board provided us with regular, comprehensive and up-to-date personal and written reports at our meetings on the state of the business, as well as on the economic situation of the company and its subsidiaries. The Supervisory Board was involved in all the major decisions of the company. The Chairman of the Supervisory Board was also kept up to date on the business situation, significant transactions and decisions taken by the Executive Board. The Chairmen of the Supervisory and Executive Boards shared information and ideas with one another throughout the year and held regular consultations on the Group’s strategic direction and its risk management.