Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the potential fining of banks following the completion of the interest rate swap redress scheme.

No conversations have taken place between the Financial Conduct Authority and HM Treasury on the potential fining of the banks following the FCA redress scheme. Furthermore, HM Treasury had not had sight of the agreements held between the FCA and the individual banks. The nature of the agreements is a matter for the FCA as an independent regulator.

However, I took part in a debate on the FCA’s review scheme last month, along with my Hon. Friend, where the issue of the individual agreements was discussed. Following the debate, I wrote to the FCA to put forward my view that more transparency in this matter will help to provide greater assurance that the review has been conducted in a fully independent and impartial manner. I also encouraged the FCA to come to an agreement with the banks as soon as possible on what might be shared with the Treasury Select Committee.