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Banking Bill

I support what my noble friend has said from the Front Bench. I recognise, as the Government say, that we are in very difficult waters, but they are made more dangerous by abandoning these profound and longstanding principles, particularly regarding retrospection. I ask the Government to think most carefully again. The matter is bound to arise in the press before the Bill has finished its course. It is extraordinary that the Minister has not been able to think of a single example. People will think of examples. They will probably also see that there are other ways of resolving them, as my noble friend Lord Eccles said so eloquently a few minutes ago. Therefore, this is the moment to ask the Government to say that they will take stock. We are sure to come to this on Report. Before then, we need to know that we will be given much more satisfactory answers before we can allow the matter to proceed.