§ Mr. HurstTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the major clearing banks to agree agency banking services with Post Office Counters. [105330]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe Government have taken steps to put back on track the Horizon project to automate the post office network thereby establishing a platform for provision of on-line agency banking services at all post offices. However the extension of the provision of agency banking services at post offices is primarily a matter for commercial negotiation between the clearing banks and Post Office Counters Ltd.