Consumer Credit Bill

I begin by thanking the Minister for his opening remarks and for organising the recent joint meetings of the various political parties with the Association for Payment Clearing Services. In these meetings, we have been looking at the key issues arising out of the Bill and, indeed, at matters that lie at the heart of amendment No. 3, to which the Minister alluded. The Minister and I have debated on a number of occasions, but this, I believe, is the first time that we have debated a Bill across the Dispatch Box. Indeed, I must confess that I have not debated this Bill before. Although it was introduced twice last year—before the election and after—it was sent to the other place before I assumed my current role, so I am not as well versed in its detail as other Members, including a number of my colleagues, such as my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (James Brokenshire), who has made a valuable contribution to the debate. This is an important Bill and some of the amendments before us may improve its meaning and clarity. Sadly, it is not very difficult to make the Bill clearer. Indeed, the need for amendments Nos. 1 and 2 draws our attention to the considerable obfuscation that exists throughout the rest of the Bill. Here, I want to place on the record my genuine concern that, as with so much of this Government’s legislation, the quality of the Bill’s drafting leaves much to be desired. I hasten to add that that is the fault not of parliamentary counsel, but of those who instruct them. That is a particularly important point to bear in mind when we consider the central tenet of amendment No. 3: what the Minister and the Bill describe as the ““unfairness test””. After all, it was the Minister himself who told this House last June on Second Reading that the Bill has to be judged on the principles of ““transparency, protection and fairness””. If that is so for the Bill’s substance, it should also apply to its language. That is why we need to consider these amendments with great care. Several of them, particularly amendments Nos. 1 and 2, make predominantly technical changes, so I hope that the Minister will be prepared to put on the record his explanation for tabling them. He has made a welcome initial stab but there were a number of omissions, which I hope to address later. A willingness and ability on his part to respond to my points will help us with the implementation to which he referred. After all, transparency can be achieved not only through better legislation, but through well-chosen words from a Minister during a debate. It is such transparency that I seek this evening. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 would alter clauses 7 and 20 respectively. Although they are technical, I have some concerns about their effects, to which I will come in a moment. Amendment No. 3, which, as the Minister said, inserts new wording into clause 29, is directly concerned with what we have described as ““irresponsible lending””. [Interruption.] Here, the Minister’s response will be particularly vital, and I hope that he is listening closely to every single word.