HC Deb 25 July 1951 vol 491 c64W
82. Lieut.-Colonel Hyde

asked the Postmaster-General what authority post office assistants have for demanding to see identity cards before paying out sums of money on demand to persons holding Post Office savings accounts.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Authority is given by Regulation 6000 of the Defence (General) Regulations as extended by the Emergency Laws (Continuance) Order, 1950.

85. Mr. Bell

asked the Postmaster-General what evidence of identity is at present required by post offices upon the opening of a Post Office Savings account in the name of a child under seven years of age; and what evidence of identity was required in similar circumstances before 1939.

Ness Edwards

Any civilian applying to open a Post Office Savings Bank account either in his own name or in the name of another person, including a child under seven, is required to produce his National Registration identity card. The identity card required is that of the person who attends at the post office irrespective of whether or not he is the intended depositor. Evidence of identity was not required before 1939.