§ Ms LynneTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to issue guidance to building societies that are converting to banks as to the manner in which they should issue bonus shares to their members in cases where disabled people have lost the capacity to operate their own accounts and have appointed another person to handle their financial affairs; [2298]
(2) what plans he has to ensure that disabled people who have lost the capacity to operate their own building society accounts and have appointed another person to handle their financial affairs are not excluded from receiving bonus shares when the building society converts to a bank. [2297]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightThe existing law allows building societies to take account of the interests of disabled people in the position described. The final structure of any distribution is a matter for the society concerned, and it is for its members to decide whether they agree that distribution or not. I understand that the Building Societies Association has issued guidance to its members on future account opening and handling practice in advance of the Disability Discrimination Act coming into force on 2 December.