Royal Bank of Scotland

Debate between Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and Sajid Javid

Thursday 13th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

The Government decided that a statement should be made today because the issue is important to the population at large. Given the Government’s stake of over 80% in RBS, and given that the last Government pumped in £45 billion, I think it important for the Government to set out their strategy on RBS.

[Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP)]

This time last year, RBS was subject to a major technical problem. As a result, one of its constituent parts, Ulster bank in Northern Ireland, lost some customers, and many customers did not benefit from full transparency. Only recently, I was told by the Financial Conduct Authority that it could not obtain answers. Will privatisation be the next stage in the rescue package?

[Sajid Javid]

The hon. Lady has made a good point overall about the importance of RBS’s operations in Northern Ireland and also in the Republic, which involve lending to both small businesses and consumers. RBS takes those operations seriously, and I know that it has been thinking carefully about how it can improve them further.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and Sajid Javid

Tuesday 11th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP)]

12. What assessment he has made of the effect of air passenger duty on tourism and the regional economy.

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid)]

The Government undertook an extensive consultation on air passenger duty last year. The consultation gathered views and evidence from stakeholders—more than 500 responses were received from all sectors. The Government published our response to the consultation on 6 December 2011 and we have no plans to commission further research.

[Sajid Javid]

The hon. Lady is passionate about this issue, and I thought she would welcome the measures that the Government have taken, which have made a significant contribution. I hope she joins me in realising that the Government have made substantial progress. He also knows that the Chancellor announced in the previous Budget that the Government are looking at other things that can be done to boost the Northern Ireland economy.

[Ms Ritchie]

I thank the Minister for his answer, but could he advise the House on what discussions he has held with the Northern Ireland Executive on the need to scrap APD for short-haul flights between Northern Ireland and Britain and Europe?

[Sajid Javid]

I have not had any such discussions since I was appointed, but I look forward to having them in future and will report to the hon. Lady when I do.