HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 cc505-6W
Ian Lucas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to make it easier to open a Post Office Card Account. [184888]

Mr. Timms

The design and management of the Post Office card account is an operational matter for the Post Office. I understand from the company that the application process is as simple as possible within the legal and regulatory requirements for the banking industry. I also understand that the account opening process is no more onerous than that for a bank account with a financial institution. We have not seen any real evidence that the process for opening a Post Office card account is difficult. Already, over 2.8 million card accounts have been opened.

While there has been no problem with the opening of the account, the Government have identified a problem that too many customers were failing to pass on their Post Office card account details to DWP or the Inland Revenue, so making it impossible for those Departments to pay money into the new account. Having identified the problem, solutions are being put in place, including the creation of a pre-populated bank account details form (with the account number, sort code and mandate for the spending Department to credit the account) which will be given to customers at their local post office when they collect their card. By signing the forms there and then customers can start receiving benefits into their card account much quicker.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many applications for Post Office card accounts have been completed and returned, but not yet processed and approved; [186255]

(2) how many applications for Post Office card accounts have been rejected owing to errors on the application form. [186256]

Mr. Timms

The operation and management of the Post Office card account is a matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.