Banking Bill

I say clearly to my hon. Friend that we are continuing the dialogue with the banks in which we have taken investments through the capitalisation scheme—and the banks as a whole—about making lending available at competitive prices for new mortgages and small businesses. I am certainly aware of the public concern about this issue. The banks are as well, and we will continue to ensure that they fulfil the conditions that they have agreed to as part of the recapitalisation scheme. It is right and proper that we should do so.