To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of lending by the banking sector to small-and-medium-sized enterprises. (244643)

The Chancellor announced at pre-Budget report 2008 that the Government are establishing a Lending Panel, bringing together Government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups to monitor lending to both households and businesses. The new panel is monitoring lending, and will encourage and drive up best practice in lending decisions and treatment of borrowers.