§ 35. Mr. Spearingasked the Minister for the Civil Service what plans he has for maintaining or increasing the use made by Government Departments of the counter services of the Post Office.
§ The Minister of State, Treasury (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)Decisions about the use of post office counter services are not made centrally, but by the Department concerned, which, of course, seeks cost-effective and sensible ways of meeting its requirements.
§ Mr. SpearingIn view of the fact that the Government are committed to a comprehensive network of counter services, and bearing in mind that some transactions are inevitably more costly than others, is there not an obligation on the Government to ensure that the viability of the present network is not undermined? Therefore, is it not right that the Government should prevent the peeling off by individual Departments of individual transactions which may be convenient to them but which result in complete inconvenience to the public?
§ Mr. HayhoeThat may well be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. I know that she has answered questions from the hon. Gentleman on that score. It is not a matter that falls within the responsibilities of the Management and Personnel Office.
§ Mr. Peter BruinvelsIs my hon. Friend aware that the DHSS is charged up to 38p per Girocheque passed over the post office counter? We in the House are always concerned about the gross extravagance and expense of such charges. Will my hon. Friend encourage all Government Departments to have bank accounts instead of using post office counter services?
§ Mr. HayhoeAs I said just now, it is for Departments to seek cost-effective and sensible ways of meeting their requirements. My hon. Friend should address that question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.