§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Postmaster-General what steps the Post Office Giro service has taken in respect of the Southern Gas and Southern Electricity Boards for enrolment in the automatic transfer facilities by Giro; and why these facilities are not available to constituents of the hon. Member for Basingstoke.
§ Mr. StonehouseBoth Boards have opened National Giro accounts for the collection of money from their consumers and the hon. Member's constituents should therefore be able to pay their bills through Giro either by inpayment or by ordinary transfer. I understand that the Boards will consider using the Giro automatic debit transfer service when a sufficient number of their customers request them to do so.