§ Mr. Fortescueasked the Minister of Public Building and Works 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. John Silkin:The salaries or wages of nearly 10,000 employees of my Department are, at their request, paid by means of National Giro; pensions are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General. Regard is had to economy, efficiency and convenience in considering alternative methods of repayment.