Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill [HL]

I am grateful to all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate. I agree with the Minister that the ideal situation would be for all banks to participate willingly in this programme, to think that it is the best thing that anybody has ever put to them, and to participate to the maximum in the speed with which they operate the scheme and in the extent to which they transfer the assets that become eligible for transfer. My problem is that I am something of a hardened old cynic when it comes to an entire sector. When I see the way that many of our best known and best loved banks, including Northern Rock, have been playing fast and loose by using charities to give cover for trust funds while claiming to be highly ethical institutions, I am suspicious that the entire sector will not come joyously down the aisle to consummate this proposal. I would have preferred to deal with this by making it compulsory from the start. I heard what the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, suggested. Perhaps on Report we should come forward with a reserve power in case the scheme does not work as well as the Minister might hope. We will consider that between now and then. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.