HC Deb 10 July 2000 vol 353 cc371-2W
Mr. David Heath

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Universal bank will be required to provide banking services to any applicant irrespective of financial status. [128752]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The Post Office is developing plans, in conjunction with the high street banks, for the Universal Bank. It is intended that the Universal bank should cater for as wide a range of customers as possible, bringing many more people into the financial mainstream.

Mr. Lilley

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the services of the proposed Universal bank in sub-post offices will differ from those provided by the Alliance and Leicester Girobank. [129988]

Mr. Byers

Alliance and Leicester Girobank offer a full range of banking services. The Universal bank is intended to cater for a wide range of people currently outside the financial mainstream and will therefore offer basic bank accounts without overdraft or borrowing facilities.

Mr. Lilley

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to publish a business plan for the Universal bank in sub-post offices. [129987]

Mr. Byers

The business plan for developing and operating a Universal bank service at post offices will be a commercially confidential document.