It is a delight, Mr Turner, to serve under your capable stewardship again this afternoon. I am delighted to have secured this debate about an issue of direct concern to not only my affected constituents but, as I have become aware, several hundred other UK citizens. I am seeking justice...

It is a delight, Mr Turner, to serve under your capable stewardship again this afternoon. I am delighted to have secured this debate about an issue of direct concern to not only my affected constituents but, as I have become aware, several hundred other UK citizens. I am seeking justice...

Agreed to on question.

Agreed to on question.

I apologise for not being present at the start of the debate, Mr Turner; we had a little vote at the 1922 committee. When we look at the terrible tragedy that has happened, does the hon. Gentleman agree that the only safe way for people to take forward equity release...

I apologise for not being present at the start of the debate, Mr Turner; we had a little vote at the 1922 committee. When we look at the terrible tragedy that has happened, does the hon. Gentleman agree that the only safe way for people to take forward equity release...

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to guide people towards good and assured equity release products. Not all such products are bad and nor are all sellers. It is a question of how the products are used and at whom they are targeted—I will come to that in a moment.

How...

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to guide people towards good and assured equity release products. Not all such products are bad and nor are all sellers. It is a question of how the products are used and at whom they are targeted—I will come to that in a moment.

How...

I welcome you to the Chair, Mr Turner. It is always a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I thank the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) for making a powerful case on behalf of his constituents. I assure him that I have listened very carefully.

Some of us will have...

I welcome you to the Chair, Mr Turner. It is always a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I thank the hon. Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) for making a powerful case on behalf of his constituents. I assure him that I have listened very carefully.

Some of us will have...

I thank the Minister for a very positive, full and helpful response. He may not be able to answer this question now, but does he think that there is any scope within European legislation or elsewhere to avoid this situation happening in the future? In this situation, a UK-based company...

I thank the Minister for a very positive, full and helpful response. He may not be able to answer this question now, but does he think that there is any scope within European legislation or elsewhere to avoid this situation happening in the future? In this situation, a UK-based company...

When I first looked into the issue, I thought about that. Unfortunately, I do not think that there is such an avenue through European Union institutions. I am happy to explore the matter further; perhaps when we meet, I can give the hon. Gentleman

more information. He may be interested...

When I first looked into the issue, I thought about that. Unfortunately, I do not think that there is such an avenue through European Union institutions. I am happy to explore the matter further; perhaps when we meet, I can give the hon. Gentleman

more information. He may be interested...

The few minutes remaining provide an opportunity to get more issues on the record. The Minister may be interested in responding to some other people who have written to me subsequently, when they learned of the debate. One of them wrote:

“When my wife and I met Mr Dewsnip”—

who came up...

The few minutes remaining provide an opportunity to get more issues on the record. The Minister may be interested in responding to some other people who have written to me subsequently, when they learned of the debate. One of them wrote:

“When my wife and I met Mr Dewsnip”—

who came up...

The hon. Gentleman is right to ask such questions and to raise them in any meeting that he may have with Rothschild and with the relevant regulators for the entities that we have discussed today. I will report back to the hon. Gentleman in due course. I thank him again...

The hon. Gentleman is right to ask such questions and to raise them in any meeting that he may have with Rothschild and with the relevant regulators for the entities that we have discussed today. I will report back to the hon. Gentleman in due course. I thank him again...

I am sorry; I was not aware that the hon. Gentleman was going to raise that issue, and I have not had an opportunity to talk to my hon. Friends at the Treasury about that case. However, he clearly feels strongly about the issue and if he is in his...

I am sorry; I was not aware that the hon. Gentleman was going to raise that issue, and I have not had an opportunity to talk to my hon. Friends at the Treasury about that case. However, he clearly feels strongly about the issue and if he is in his...

Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the disgraceful, disreputable and frankly immoral conduct of Rothschild’s for its role in giving advice and support on providing mortgage equity release schemes to hundreds of thousands of pensioners in this country who are now facing extreme poverty...

Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the disgraceful, disreputable and frankly immoral conduct of Rothschild’s for its role in giving advice and support on providing mortgage equity release schemes to hundreds of thousands of pensioners in this country who are now facing extreme poverty...

Letter dated 28.11.2003 from Fiona Mactaggart MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding the costs incurred for services provided to the Home Office by NM Rothschilds since 1997. HO. 2003.

Letter dated 28.11.2003 from Fiona Mactaggart MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding the costs incurred for services provided to the Home Office by NM Rothschilds since 1997. HO. 2003.

Letter dated 29.11.2003 from Alun Michael MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding services provided to DEFRA by N M Rothschild and Sons Ltd since 1977. DEFRA. 2003.

Letter dated 29.11.2003 from Alun Michael MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding services provided to DEFRA by N M Rothschild and Sons Ltd since 1977. DEFRA. 2003.

Letter dated 01.12.2003 from Richard Caborn MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding N M Rothschild and Sons. DCMS. 2003.

Letter dated 01.12.2003 from Richard Caborn MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding N M Rothschild and Sons. DCMS. 2003.

Letter from Maria Eagle MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding services provided to DWP by NM Rothschilds since 1997. DWP. 2003.

Letter from Maria Eagle MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding services provided to DWP by NM Rothschilds since 1997. DWP. 2003.

Letter dated 21.11.2003 from Gareth Thomas MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding services provided to DFID by NM Rothschilds since 1997. DFID. 2003.

Letter dated 21.11.2003 from Gareth Thomas MP to Kevin Brennan MP regarding services provided to DFID by NM Rothschilds since 1997. DFID. 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on services provided to his Department by NM Rothchild and Sons Ltd since 1977.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on services provided to his Department by NM Rothchild and Sons Ltd since 1977.