HC Deb 03 August 1966 vol 733 cc130-1W
112. Mr. Weatherill

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the amount involved in producing a recent brochure on the National Giro Service; to whom it has been circulated free of charge; and if, in view of present emergency economic measures involving a cut in Post Office investment of £30 million, he will cease to issue such documents.

Mr. Edward Short

About £28,000, including the cost of distribution. The brochure is being sent to public utilities, local authorities, trade and professional associations and their members, Government Departments and the larger business and commerical institutions. The Answer to the last part is "No".

Mr. Bryan

asked the Postmaster-General how many copies of the brochure, The National Giro, have been sent out; what was the cost per copy, including postage; and why, in view of the need for economy, the information was distributed in so costly a form two years before the opening of the National Giro Service.

Mr. Edward Short

To date, about 90,000 copies have been sent out to the larger business institutions, etc. The cost per copy, including distribution and postage, was about 2s. 6d. Discussions in recent months with many organisations made it clear that the information contained in the brochure was needed as long as possible in advance to enable the business world to plan how best to make use of the services which the National Giro will offer.