UK Parliament / Open data

Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill [HL]

My Lords, I appreciate the response from the Minister, and the comments of all those who have spoken in support of the amendment. I remind the House that I am calling for a reserve power only, not creating a statutory arrangement in the Bill. I am simply calling for a reserve power in the event that the established voluntary arrangement, which currently looks as if it is doing a good job, fails to work well in the interests of the individual whose hard-earned money was left in their will to a charity, however small, and its beneficiaries: directly, the charity and, indirectly, all those who that person in writing their will wanted to benefit. On confidentiality, we already have a system, which was set up as voluntary, for the reunification process. That has broken the complete code of secrecy around bank accounts anyway, because when a match is now made, there is confirmation of that. Therefore, despite the Minister’s reservations and in the light of the support around the House, I feel that I must test the opinion of the House. On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 1) shall be agreed to? Their Lordships divided: Contents, 107; Not-Contents, 130. [Amendments Nos. 2 to 4 not moved.] An amendment (privilege) made. Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
699 c568-9 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
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