§ 11. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office Corporation to review the organisation of the Giro, in view of administrative changes currently under consideration affecting social security payments.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. I understand that the possible implications for Giro of the proposed tax credit scheme, which I assume my hon. Friend has in mind, are already being considered by the Post Office with the Departments concerned.
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsIs the Minister aware that the use of computers in the administration of social security is much more advanced in some other countries? Is the management of the Giro aware of the possibilities for extending the service which would be offered simply by the extension of family allowances to the first child, quite apart from the tax credit scheme? Is it not lamentably failing to rise to its opportunities here?
§ Sir J. EdenI think that it possibly is, but my hon. Friend has already given evidence to the Select Committee and I know that this has already been considered by the Department of Health and Social Security. It will probably be sensible to wait until the Committee has reported and the House has had an opportunity to consider any recommendations that it may make.
§ 12. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he has satisfied himself that the Giro is now making a positive contribution to the finances of the Post Office: and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. EdenI would ask my hon. Friend to await the expiry of the one-year target period.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneMy right hon. Friend will agree that that period expires this weekend. The expiry date was set at 1st July. Since we were assured that the objective of achieving a positive contribution was to be achieved within one year of the increase in tariffs, can he assure us that, if this target has not been achieved, the reprieve granted to the Giro last year will be terminated, as it was made a firm precondition for this reprieve by his predecessor?
§ Sir J. EdenI reiterate that I think that it would be more sensible to wait until I have fully considered the final outcome of the year's operations and can report to Parliament.
§ Mr. HefferWould the Minister not allow himself to be flustered by the noises from his hon. Friends about the Giro? Is he aware that Giro gives employment to many workers in the Merseyside area, which has suffered considerably from actions of this Government over the past three years? Will he therefore be careful in following the advice of the backwoodsmen on his own back benches?
§ Sir J. EdenThe hon. Member is making an absolute nonsense of his own case. He would far better help his own constituents if he kept quiet on the subject.
§ Mr. HefferWhat do you mean by that?
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Grant. Question No. 13.
§ Mr. HefferOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not usually ask for the protection of the Chair, because I do not need it, but if the Minister wants to come outside and explain what he meant by that last answer, we can discuss the matter and——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Fortunately, that sort of invitation is not a matter for the Chair.