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Banking Bill

Again, I thank the Minister for his comments. It is disappointing that he should so often express sympathy and agreement with the amendments to which I speak but so rarely be prepared to accept anything that is said. Having produced a number of good reasons why there may be protection, I fail to see why the Minister will not accept the amendment and expressly include the provision for creditors. The Minister made the comment that unsecured creditors take a risk. I accept that but, as the noble Lord, Lord Newby, pointed out earlier, it is not always reasonable to expect everyone to understand complex bank balance sheets. Indeed, in answering a question about bonds just now, the Minister said that he thinks that these balance sheets will become simpler in future. However, generally speaking, it is the extremely complex ones that get into trouble and those are the ones where creditors need to be protected. Having said that, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 13 withdrawn.