HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc673-4W
John Thurso

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harwich (Mr. Henderson) of 21 October 2004Official Report, column 14, on the Universal Bank, what alternative arrangements he will put in place for those people who will not be able to use the PIN number associated with a Post Office card account. [78076]

Malcolm Wicks

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 28 October 2002,Official Report,column 652W.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which benefits he intends to transfer from cash payments to direct bank transactions in April 2003; and of these(a) what proportion of recipients he expects will opt to continue receiving payments in cash and (b) what saving his Department will make in the cost of making payments. [79414]

Malcolm Wicks

From April 2003 the normal method of payment for benefits and pensions will be direct into bank and building society accounts (including the Post Office card account).

Customers will be able to access their cash at banks/building societies and Post Office Branches.

Even where a customer is paid directly into an account, they can still collect their cash at post office branches, either through existing network banking arrangements between Post Office Ltd and several banks or, from 2003, through universal banking services at post offices.

On costs, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on Monday 22 July 2002, Official Report, column 806W.