asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make a statement on whether his Department have any plans to broaden the commercial basis of post office operations; if future plans for the post office include the introduction of the Giro system of credit transfer; and whether he will consider making the post office a public corporation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broadening of Post Office Operations.
26.
No plans have as yet been formulated to broaden the commercial basis of Post Office operations or to introduce a Giro system. As I have indicated in previous replies, the question of possible changes in the organisational status of my Department is under consideration.
Has consideration of this matter of the introduction of a Giro system been postponed indefinitely?
No.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give us an idea when he thinks there might be a decision?
The latest development in which the commercial banks have gone into this obviously enters into consideration.
Has the Minister made any investigation into the operation of the system in Britain?
Yes.
Is it known to be successful?
No trends have developed.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the Department have been asleep on this job because of the fact that the commercial banks were able to take advantage——
I would not accept that.
Would he not consider it would have been advisable, in view of its successful introduction in Britain, for plans to be made to introduce it here before the commercial banks? The people who use the post office need this service more than the people who use the banks.
I cannot accept the first part of the question which suggested that the Department were asleep, so points two and three of the supplementary question do not arise.
Question No. 27.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the people who need the service most are the people who use the post office?
Not necessarily. Not at all. If the Deputy studies the former discussions in the House, and especially the Minister's reply on his Estimate, he will see that this matter was referred to and has been under consideration for some time.
Was any decision taken?
No decision has been taken.