§ 8. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Minister of Social Security what objection she has to the use of the Post Office giro for the payment of social benefits.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Social Security (Mr. Norman Pentland)Some 45 million short-term benefit payments a year now made by postal draft will be made by 1201 giro payment order. For long-term benefits, on the other hand, the cheapest and the most suitable way so far continues to be the order book system.
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsDoes the right hon. Lady agree with the Minister of Technology in his weekend speech, and with many other people, including myself, that
the day will come not long hence when the taxation and social security systems will be capable of complete integration.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. No quotations in supplementary questions.
§ Mr. PentlandI cannot answer for my right hon. Friend's weekend speech, in whatever form it was made. We in the Ministry are anxious that pensions should be paid in the most efficient and economical way and we shall keep a close watch on the functioning of giro to see how best we can use it.