HC Deb 04 August 1971 vol 822 cc1577-8
33. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects to make a statement on the future of the National Giro.

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Mr. Christopher Chataway)

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 30th June—[Vol. 820, c. 369.]

Mr. Huckfield

Is the Minister aware that he has given that same answer at every Question Time this year? Is he still reluctant to give any specific date for the report? Is he further aware that if Giro should close and we go into the Common Market, ours will be the only Post Office in Europe which does not operate a Giro? Furthermore, if the Giro is closed, this will be the only country which has started a Giro and then closed it.

Mr. Chataway

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this operation was set up on a basis which has subsequently incurred great losses, and there are considerable problems involved. We have been looking at the issues very carefully, and I assure him that we shall take no longer over this matter than is necessary.

Mr. Waddington

How many prosecutions for alleged frauds on the Giro are now pending? Is there not now abundant evidence of the most appalling laxity in the operation of the whole system?

Mr. Chataway

I should need notice before being able to give the figure for which my hon. and learned Friend asks.

Mr. Richard

I must press the Minister a little on this matter, because he has been looking at it for a long time. Does he not realise that the longer the inquiry goes on, the more unviable will the set-up become? Is he not aware that among those people responsible for the running of the Giro there is considerable dissatisfaction about extent of this delay? Can he not hurry things up?

Mr. Chataway

I assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that we shall take no longer over this question than is necessary to get the right answers but, as I say, there are some very complex factors involved.