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Just as a reflection on a soft sector, I point out to my noble friend Lady Noakes that the child trust fund was open to all financial companies throughout the

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United Kingdom. At the last check that I made on it, well over 60 per cent of the businesses were taken up by the mutual movement, which has frankly thrashed the other sector in terms of performance. Perhaps in a modern environment with a new product it is the soft mutuals that provide the successful company format. Nevertheless, I thank all those who have contributed this afternoon. My colleagues and I who are involved in the Bill will read all the contributions very carefully and will try to take them on board.

On Question, Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn during pleasure to await the arrival of three Bills from the Commons. The Commons message is expected to arrive at around 6.30 pm but, as usual, the exact time for the Sitting to resume will be shown on the annunciators.

Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

[The Sitting was suspended from 5.11 to 6.30 pm.]

Rating (Empty Properties) Bill

Brought from the Commons; read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

International Tribunals (Sierra Leone) Bill [HL]

The Bill was returned from the Commonsagreed to.

Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill

The Bill was returned from the Commonsagreed to.

House adjourned at 6.32 pm.

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