§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what contracts have been concluded as a result of the Government's commitment to support ethical banking. [89921]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe Department has not concluded any contracts as a result of a Government commitment to support ethical banking. There is nothing currently within the Department's procurement policy that would prevent such contracts from being let. The Government believe it is important for consumers to have choice in financial products, including the availability of "ethical" products. However, it would not be appropriate for the Government exclusively to support604W the development of one specific group of financial service providers. It is for individual consumers to decide the attributes they most value from their financial services and for financial services firms to be transparent about their use of funds and investments.