Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Sweeney Excerpts
Wednesday 7th March 2018

(6 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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My Treasury colleagues will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s comments.

Paul Sweeney Portrait Mr Paul Sweeney (Glasgow North East) (Lab/Co-op)
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On 6 February, RBS announced that it would give 10 branches in Scotland a stay of execution, on the basis that they were the last bank in town. However, one branch, in the Secretary of State’s constituency, was given a special reprieve but was not the last bank in town. Why should the Secretary of State’s constituents be given preferential treatment while the last banks in some of the poorest communities across Scotland are closed down?

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I know that this is a hostage to fortune, but I would like the hon. Gentleman to name that branch, because the three branches in my constituency that were to be the subject of this so-called reprieve—which I agree with him is just a stay of execution—are all the last bank in town. I think he should do his research a little better.