Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his oral contribution on 6 December 2017, Official Report, column, 1014, what the outcome was of his discussions with RBS on bank branches across Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s decision to close bank branches are commercial decisions for the Royal Bank of Scotland. However, the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated.

I met RBS chief executive Les Matheson on 7 December to discuss their decision and I made clear the concerns that had been raised by MPs and communities about their plans.