HC Deb 28 October 2002 vol 391 c648W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 21 October 2002 to the hon. Member for Harwich,Official 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. [77785]

Malcolm Wicks

Customers will be able to choose from a range of account options. For some people the Post Office card account may not be the most suitable option and they may prefer to use an account with a cheque book or pass book. Customers will be supplied with information which clearly sets out their account options and which will enable them to decide which is right for them.

Customers who do want a Post Office card account but are unable to cope with a PIN number will have the option of nominating someone else to collect their money for them. In these cases, a second card will be issued.

We have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who cannot be paid directly into an account. We will develop an alternative method to pay this group of benefit recipients.