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Banking Bill

I thought that I had already conveyed this point to the Committee, but I shall make it again. The 28 days is for bringing the order before Parliament within that period. Of course, if Parliament votes it down, the powers lapse. But the noble and learned Lord will appreciate that the real problem with the 28 days is that it is 28 days, provided that Parliament is sitting. We do not know when the emergency might occur, but the Government must act. The noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, started the hare running that it would increase financial confidence if Parliament was recalled to debate the order. Certainly, that was contended on the noble Lord’s side of the Committee and I disputed that as an aid to financial confidence. Nevertheless, perhaps that would be the way in which the order would be dealt with. But certainly, if Parliament rejects the order, the powers lapse. The noble and learned Lord, Lord Lyell, must surely be satisfied with that answer.