Debates between Brendan O'Hara and Neil Gray during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Wed 14th Mar 2018

Banking in North Ayrshire

Debate between Brendan O'Hara and Neil Gray
Wednesday 14th March 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Brendan O'Hara Portrait Brendan O’Hara (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
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Will the Minister give way?

Neil Gray Portrait Neil Gray
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Will the Minister give way?

John Glen Portrait John Glen
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No, I am not going to give way because I have only eight and a half minutes, and I want to do justice to all the points that have been raised.

This Government are very aware of the issues. I will talk about the challenges facing the banking sector and our communities. I think that the hon. Lady has said in a previous debate that she does not bank online, and that is her choice, but whatever our personal preferences, banking is going through a period of unprecedented technological change and consumer behaviour is changing significantly. Banks are having to adapt to those shifting patterns of behaviour. The decisions that they are making are sometimes not popular and I understand why, but the hon. Lady will be well aware that those decisions are not for the Government.

The hon. Lady made a point about the former Chancellor, the former Member for Tatton, signing off on the chief executive post. There is a big difference between signing off on strategic leadership and getting involved in day-to-day commercial decisions.

Brendan O'Hara Portrait Brendan O’Hara
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Will the Minister give way?

Neil Gray Portrait Neil Gray
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Will the Minister give way?