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MPs' banking probe hits Belfast MPs' banking probe hits Belfast
(28 minutes later)
The Treasury select committee is holding the first of a series of meetings outside London as part of its inquiry into the banking crisis.The Treasury select committee is holding the first of a series of meetings outside London as part of its inquiry into the banking crisis.
MPs have been hearing from members of the public in Belfast, who responded to an open invitation to describe their personal experiences.MPs have been hearing from members of the public in Belfast, who responded to an open invitation to describe their personal experiences.
The MPs will also meet with politicians and lobby groups at Stormont.The MPs will also meet with politicians and lobby groups at Stormont.
Committee chairman John McFall said: "We feel it's important to gather a perspective from around the country."Committee chairman John McFall said: "We feel it's important to gather a perspective from around the country."
The Labour MP said the committee has already gathered more than 50 hours of evidence during sessions in London.The Labour MP said the committee has already gathered more than 50 hours of evidence during sessions in London.
We've got to ensure that the public voice is heard - that the public are taken along - because this anger is understandable at the moment John McFallTreasury select committee "We have had to stand behind the banks with eye-watering sums, and it's very hard to have a good reason for that and for the public to understand that," he said.
"I tell the public that the banking system is the economic lifeblood in the country - it flows around - and if anything happens to the blood in our body, there's a thrombosis.
"It's the same here - jobs and communities are threatened so we have to stand behind the banks.
"But we've got to ensure that the public voice is heard - that the public are taken along - because this anger is understandable at the moment."
Personal finance was expected to be high among people's concerns at the informal meeting.Personal finance was expected to be high among people's concerns at the informal meeting.
"I think the biggest issue facing the economy is the freezing of credit and the need to restore bank lending, and we want to hear people's experiences," he said."I think the biggest issue facing the economy is the freezing of credit and the need to restore bank lending, and we want to hear people's experiences," he said.
Details of further committee sessions outside London are yet to be announced, but are likely to be held in Scotland and Yorkshire.Details of further committee sessions outside London are yet to be announced, but are likely to be held in Scotland and Yorkshire.
The move out of the capital follows Gordon Brown's decision to hold two Cabinet meetings last year outside Westminster.The move out of the capital follows Gordon Brown's decision to hold two Cabinet meetings last year outside Westminster.
Ministers convened in Birmingham last October in the first Cabinet meeting away from London or Chequers since 1921, before visiting Leeds the following month.Ministers convened in Birmingham last October in the first Cabinet meeting away from London or Chequers since 1921, before visiting Leeds the following month.