Finance Bill

My Lords, I do not want in any way to curtail the debate. However, I should point out that although it is a tradition of this House that the Minister should answer the questions asked of him—and no Minister does it better than my noble friend—there is another tradition which says that there should not be so many questions that his speech goes on endlessly. As I hope the House will agree, a whole series of questions has been asked, although not many were asked when noble Lords gave their speeches. That is quite right. It is also quite right that my noble friend should be asked questions in his capacity as Minister. However, perhaps I may gently venture that we have had enough questions. Perhaps my noble friend should be allowed to finish his speech and then we can end the debate. I hope that that is the proper thing to say.