§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in ensuring efficiency in the payment of benefits via post offices. [45648]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Government are committed to providing a secure, convenient and cost effective means of payment of benefits and the programme to automate all post offices is an important element of this.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to ensure the computerisation of Crown post offices. [45646]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe programme being undertaken jointly by Post Office Counters Ltd., the Benefits Agency and ICL Pathway provides for the automation of all post offices.