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Consumer Credit Bill

moved Amendment No. 8:"Page 24, line 13, at end insert—" ““(   )   The OFT shall include within the guidance a duty of licence holders to lend responsibly.”” The noble Lord said: I realise that this is another attempt on the part of the Opposition parties to move the Government further than they want to go, but it is important, for the reasons that the noble Lord, Lord Beaumont of Whitley, whom I see is no longer in his place, gave on his amendment. This amendment is dear to the heart of the citizens advice bureaux movement which, as we know, is at the forefront of dealing with the problems of those least well off in our society, the disadvantaged, with what citizens advice bureaux and, I think, the Government, perceive as irresponsible lending. I do not want to go over all the arguments that we had in Grand Committee. In Committee, this amendment was moved by the noble Lord, Lord Borrie, whom I see in his place. The Government need to be absolutely certain if they are to reject the amendment that it is unreasonable. As the Minister said on several occasions, the Government have a policy to avoid irresponsible lending and think that the Bill should do that. This amendment, which is small in words but important in principle, should be treated seriously by the Government. I hope that they will seriously consider including it. I beg to move.