§ Mr. E. Rowlandsasked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state the future of the Savings Department when the Post Office changes its status.
§ Mr. Edward ShortWhen I announced in the House on 3rd August the Government's decision that that Post Office should become a public corporation, I made it clear that the future of the Post Office Savings Bank had not then been determined. The Government have now decided that the Savings Department, including the Post Office Savings Bank, the Savings Certificate Division and the National Development Bond and Premium Bond Division, should remain in the Civil Service and report to Treasury Ministers; and that Giro should be a part of the new Corporation. The Corporation will, of course, continue to handle savings business over its counters.
I have reason to believe that the staff will welcome these decisions.