---

Lending (Regulation) Bill

In the spirit and tradition of the House, I join others in congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries and Galloway (Mr. Brown) on introducing an important Bill, which raises significant issues, especially given the current difficult times. I note the interest in the Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) and the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash), and that of the Liberal Democrat Members present, whose constituencies do not immediately come to mind—I apologise. I join my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries and Galloway in praising the continuing work of Which? The Government believe that the provisions are compatible with the European convention on human rights. I confirm that we welcome several of the key principles that underpin the measure, but like the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk), we have several concerns about some of the detail. I welcome my hon. Friend's commitment to work with us on the detail, so that we would consequently be happy for the Bill to make progress.