§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the transaction charges agreed with the Post Office are for handling a benefit payment at a post office counter; and how these charges have changed since 1997. [20300]
§ Malcolm Wicks[holding answer 5 December 2001]: The average transaction fee payable by this Department to the Post Office for order book foil encashment since 1997 are as follows:
Year Average encashment cost per foil 1997–98 44p 1998–99 47p 1999–2000 53p 2000–01 60p The Post Office have a contract with Girobank for girocheque encashment services at post office counters, and these transaction charges are not known to the Department.