§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent 26W his Department makes use of Giro facilities; what is the estimated annual value of such Giro transactions: and what regular consideration is given to extending the use of Giro.
§ Mr. ShoreGiro is used for paying about one-seventh, i.e. £45.5 million, of salaries, wages and expenses, most of the remainder being by bank transfers. Bills are paid by orders drawn on the Paymaster General. Currently about £0.5 million of receipts come through Giro each year; from next year this will increase to £23 million, when the Post Office uses the system to pay for certain services from the Property Services Agency.
The Department's methods of paying and receiving money are reviewed regularly taking account of cost, efficiency, convenience, acceptability and other relevant factors.