§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Prime Minister whether the Estimates and Votes of the originating 346W Departments commissioning functions to be offered by sub-postmasters to supplement their incomes from the fund announced by Her Majesty's Government following the alterations in weekly pension payment arrangements, will show drawings on the special fund set aside far that purpose, or whether the Department of Industry Estimates and Votes will identify all drawings on its fund.
§ The Prime MinisterThe purpose of the fund is to compensate sub-post offices for the loss of business arising from the new methods of paying social security benefits where such loss is not compensated for by the growth of new business.
As yet no disbursements have been made from the fund as the changes in the arrangements for paying benefits have only recently begun to be implemented and the effect of any loss of business takes some time to be reflected in sub-postmasters' incomes.
The precise arrangements for the administration of the fund are still under discussion, but I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry to inform my hon. Friend when they have been concluded.