§ Mr. Fortescueasked the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether he will consider using it more.
§ Mr. Hattersley:My Department is aware of the facilities available from Giro both for financial transactions generally and for payments of salaries 167W and wages in particular. Regard is had to economy, efficiency and convenience in considering alternative methods of payment.
Facility for payment to Giro accounts is made available to uniformed and civilian salaried personnel. Use of the facility has been small but gradually increasing. Some additional facilities are about to be announced for weekly paid staffs and others are being discussed with Giro representatives. Giro is also used for payments to those pensioners, Reservists and others formerly paid by the postal draft system.