To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the recommendations of the Competition Commission in respect of the eight clearing banking institutions in the United Kingdom will apply to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [96747]

I have been asked to reply.The Competition Commission made adverse public interest findings about eight leading clearing banks in respect of their operations in the UK. These banks have provided my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer with behavioural undertakings to remedy the adverse effects. Ministers announced on 31 October that they had accepted these undertakings, which apply to their operations throughout the United Kingdom.