Banks and Building Societies

HC Deb 10 July 1996 vol 281 c229W

Mr. French

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what represtations he has received about the benefits of mutual status; and if he will make a statement. [36463]

Mrs. Angela Knight

During the recently concluded consultation on the draft Building Societies Bill, a number of societies, and others, mentioned the benefits of mutual status. We are currently considering these responses along with all the others we have received.

Mr. French

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the difference in operating ratios between retail banks and mutual building societies. [36451]

Mrs. Knight

The rates offered by individual banks and building societies are publicly available, and the financial press provides regular comparisons between them.