Banks: Lending

Debate between Lord Lawson of Blaby and Lord Harrison

Wednesday 5th February 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lawson of Blaby (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Harrison (Lab)]

My Lords, given the decline in lending to small businesses—

[Lord Lawson of Blaby]

My Lords, three months ago the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, which is owned by the Government, publicly admitted that it has been treating its SME customers abominably and undertook to change its ways. Can my noble friend tell the House what practical steps have been taken and what the Government are doing to monitor this situation, for which they have a clear and direct responsibility?