---

Banking Bill

I want to place on the record that I am extremely disappointed with the Government’s attitude in relation to these amendments. By their own admission, some of the powers that they are taking are unprecedented. The Minister has agreed to take away and look again at the tiniest part of his amendments. If the amendments are agreed, we, for our part, do not accept their full effect. I explained that we could understand why, given the current economic circumstances in the country, certain powers might need to be taken, but our approval of the amendments today should not be taken as an indication that we do not wish to pursue further the issues that I have already raised with the Minister and to which he has not responded satisfactorily. We will return to these matters on Report. Amendment 173A agreed.