§ MR. CALDWELLOn behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary to the 1516 Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, having regard to the fact that the average cost of the withdrawal of money from the Post Office Savings Bank by telegraph, is upwards of 1s. for each withdrawal, and that three-fourths of the withdrawals by this means are estimated by the Post Office to be made by the working classes, he will consider the expediency of placing at their disposal a mode of withdrawal less costly than that of withdrawal by telegraph, and more expeditious than withdrawal by ordinary post?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY, Preston)The average cost of withdrawal by telegraph is not upwards of 1s., but much less than 1s., except where a telegram has to be sent both by the depositor and the Department in London. If the depositor only requires the payment to be made next day only one telegram is necessary. For all but cases of urgent need, which are of rare occurrence, this is sufficient and satisfies the depositors. The hon. Member mentions that three-fourths of the telegraphic withdrawals are made by depositors of the working class. I may add that three-fourths of all depositors are of that class, so that there is nothing to show that they, in proportion to others, make a greater use of the telegraph for withdrawing money. The Postmaster General does not think it necessary or expedient to take such a course as the hon. Member indicates, and he desires to state again, as has been stated in this House on February 21 1896, and on the 6th ult., that the Post Office Savings Bank was established for the encouragement of thrift, and not for the purpose of performing the functions of an ordinary bank.