Banking (S.I., 2008, No. 432)

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman could make it clear whether the Conservatives' position is that those moneys should not be made available to the Northern Rock Foundation. If so, does he recognise the consequences for many causes in the north-east? Does he also recognise that making those contributions might well be a pretty clever marketing stroke on behalf of Northern Rock, on whichever constitutional basis it is formed—currently under the public sector?