§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Minister of Overseas Development when her Department's banking business was last put out to competitive tender.
§ Mrs. HartThe main banking business of the Ministry of Overseas Development is undertaken by the Paymaster-General's 561W office in accordance with standard Civil Service regulations; certain payments to overseas organisations involving foreign currency are effected by the Bank of England. A few minor local encashment and similar services performed by other banks are kept under review as regards cost and convenience but these have not been put out to competitive tender. Such minor services include wage encashments, Giro payments to absentees, bank accounts for development divisions and survey parties overseas. The money involved in these minor items is trivial in relation to the Ministry's main business.