HC Deb 21 November 1968 vol 773 cc1516-7
44. Mr. Clegg

asked the Postmaster-General why telephone accounts are now sent out with a form applicable only for the Post Office Giro and not the Bank Giro.

Mr. Joseph Slater

With our present billing systems, it was not practicable to supply both National Giro and Bank Giro forms. We therefore chose initially to provide the form most likely to be used, but we hope to include both at a convenient date in the future. Of course, people can still pay their telephone bills by Bank Giro by completing a form provided by the banks.

Mr. Clegg

How long does the hon. Gentleman think it will take to get a form which will incorporate the Bank Giro? Is not it a blatantly partisan decision to make the form applicable only to the Post Office Giro at present?

Mr. Slater

There is no question of partisanship in restricting it to Giro.