§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made by the Government to the Post Office about its proposal to charge a levy for the use of ATM machines in sub-post offices. [2362]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 5 July 2001]Decisions about making transaction charges for use of ATM machines at sub-post offices are a commercial matter for Post Office Network. The Government do not welcome the imposition of charges for access to cash but where such charges apply this should be made clear to the user. Wherever possible, Post Office Network seek arrangements for ATM machines at sub-post offices to be free of transaction charges but in some locations it would not be financially viable to install ATMs without a transaction charge being made.
People on pensions and benefits have the option of collecting their cash free of charge over the post office counter and have no need to use a cash machine for which a transaction charge is made unless they choose to do so.