Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill [HL]

I do not think that we can impose on the banks a quota on the amounts they can realise because they will likely contend that there are differential positions with regard to customers. However, the Bill clearly identifies the broad contours of the funds and accounts available. As I have said all along and will continue to reiterate throughout proceedings on this Bill, any claimant who appears, however late, is entitled to his resources because he is the owner of them. But in a publicly accountable scheme such as this one, there will be substantial leverage on the participating institutions which have voluntarily and with good will engaged in it to meet their obligations under it. The light-touch regulatory regime and public opinion are important dimensions in that respect. The informed opinion of Parliament and the operations of Select Committees and so on also will hold institutions to account on meeting their obligations.