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Banking Bill

While I agree with what the noble Lord has just said about the legal side, he has misrepresented what Amendment 21 does. It would not force the authorities to comply with the code but would say that they must comply or give an explanation. Of course, as he says, decisions may have to be taken in unexpected circumstances, and that would require deviation from the code. But surely that would be a great improvement if the authorities were to say why they had done so in those circumstances. Indeed, in view of recent events, it would certainly have been better if more explanation had been given at the time. Amendment 21 does not do what the Minister says and in the general spirit of good will prevailing in the Committee, I hope that he will at the very least be prepared to take it away and look at it again.