HC Deb 04 May 2004 vol 420 c1486W
Mr. Gale

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's latest estimate is of the total sum of money lying dormant and unclaimed in United Kingdom bank accounts. [167602]

Ruth Kelly

There is currently no official estimate of the number of unclaimed deposits in UK banks or their total value.

Mr. Gale

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with the initiative announced by his Department to reunite unclaimed assets with their rightful owners; and if he will make a statement. [167603]

Ruth Kelly

The Government announced in the Budget that we support the efforts of the British Bankers' Association, the Building Societies' Association and National Savings and Investments in trying to reunite unclaimed assets with their owners. As we have said in the Budget, it is right that more should be done in principle.

The Government will assess and report on progress on unclaimed assets at the time of the PBR.