§ 36. Mr. Raphael Tuckasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will restrict his consideration of candidates for the chairmanship of the Post Office to those who are in favour of retaining the Post Office National Giro.
§ 35. Mr. Sorefasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will restrict his consideration of candidates for the chairmanship of the Post Office to those who are prepared to give an undertaking that they will disband the Think Tank.
§ Mr. ChatawayI have no wish to restrict the field.
§ Mr. TuckIs the Minister aware that things have been looking up for the Giro and that the number of users has increased from 160,000 to 400,000? All the electricity and gas boards and most local authorities now have Giro accounts, and the Giro provides a useful service cheaply. In view of this, will he at least appoint a chairman who is likely to give the Giro a little time to show its mettle, as it has done in France, Germany and Holland?
§ Mr. ChatawayI told the House in the debate the other day that the Giro is under review, and I have nothing to add to that.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhat is the cost to date of the Think Tank and how is it getting on?
§ Mr. ChatawayI have not the figure with me, and this is a management matter for the Post Office.
§ 37. Mr. Raphael Tuckasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he intends to review the Post Office National Giro.
§ 22. Mr. Normantonasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the future of the Post Office National Giro.
§ Mr. ChatawayI have nothing to add to my statement on 30th November during the debate on Post Office affairs.—[Vol. 807, c. 992.]
§ Mr. TuckIs the Minister aware that the writer of an article in the Economist on 12th December said that losses should gradually decline and that the Giro is never likely to be a threatening rival to the banks? If this is what the Minister is afraid of, will he kindly take note of those remarks?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe hon. Gentleman knows well that what the Government are concerned about, as they are bound 945 to be, is that the Giro is losing more than was forecast when it was launched. We have to determine whether and when the Giro can break even.
§ Sir J. RodgersIn his review of the Giro, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the advisability of changing the name? Most people do not have a clue what Giro means.
§ Mr. ChatawayI will take note of my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. RichardWill the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the results of the review of the Giro will be published in such a form that the House can debate them? Will he also recognise, as my hon. Friend said, that the Giro is providing a cheap, worth-while and efficient service. Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is about time that he gave it an expression of encouragement?
§ Mr. ChatawayIt ill becomes anyone speaking from the Opposition Front Bench to criticise the Government for reviewing the matter. Of course I will take into account all the points that have been raised and will communicate the result to the House.