To ask Her Majesty's Government in view of the Bank of Scotland (Ireland) trading in the United Kingdom, whether any Government regulator investigated the appointment of chairmen to the bank; and, if so, which regulator; when; and what was the outcome. [HL1718]

Bank of Scotland (Ireland) is a subsidiary of HBOS, and hence now of Lloyds Banking Group. It is an Irish business regulated primarily by the Irish financial regulator. Bank of Scotland (Ireland) has operations in the UK within Northern Ireland which operate as branches passported into the UK from Ireland, in accord with European legislation.

As part of the approvals process, the Financial Services Authority assesses the fitness and propriety of senior management exercising significant influence within the firms it regulates. In the case of subsidiaries, it is the responsibility of the home state regulator (in this case Ireland) to ensure the firm's senior management is fit and proper in line with directive requirements.