§ Mr. HanleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the Government's response to the Jack committee report on banking services, law and practice.
§ Mr. RyderIt was announced last week that a committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Sir George Blunden to oversee the preparation of a code of banking practice by the British Bankers Association (BBA), the Building Societies Association (BSA), and the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS). This was the central recommendation of the review committee's report. I warmly welcome this initiative by the banks and building societies and am particularly pleased by their confirmation that the consumer interests will be fully consulted. The Government's response to the remainder of the recommendations in the review committee's report will be published shortly.