HC Deb 18 May 2000 vol 350 cc199-200W
Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department plans to bring forward proposals for developing the future business potential of the Post Office network; and if he will make a statement. [121310]

Mr. Byers

Completion of the installation of the Horizon system, a modern automated IT platform, throughout the Post Office network in 2001 will provide the potential to develop a range of new business opportunities. In addition to automated network banking on an agency basis, Horizon would provide an important part of the infrastructure for a universal bank offering basic banking services accessible at post offices. We also see opportunities for post offices to develop a key role in e-commerce services and scope for a further development of their role as one-stop shops for many Government services and transactions. We are also looking at the role post offices may be able to play in fulfilling our objective of making the Internet accessible to all by 2005.

Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to support the development of a post office universal bank; and if he will make a statement. [121308]

Mr. Byers

The Government strongly support co-operation between the banks and the Post Office to develop a universal bank offering basic banking services to all. The Horizon project to equip the post office network with a modern on-line IT platform, towards which the Government are contributing nearly £500 million, has the potential to provide an important part of the infrastructure for such a bank. A universal bank accessible through post offices would complement the agency network banking service which the Post Office already provides under arrangements with Girobank/Alliance and Leicester, LloydsTSB, Co-operative and Barclays Banks.

Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to bring forward detailed proposals relating to subsidies for post offices; and if he will make a statement. [121309]

Mr. Byers

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competitiveness, on 11 May 2000,Official Report, column 439W.