Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Post Office (Lost Business) – 18 December 1985

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Post Office (Lost Business) on 18th December 1985.

Mr. Colvin Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what business he plans to offer to the Post Office to replace that lost by the transfer of benefit payments to automated credit transfer; and what account he has taken of representations on this matter, received subsequent to the 1979 Rayner report from bodies representing rural interests.

Mr. Major We have already transferred the issue of milk tokens to the Post Office and will continue to offer it business provided it is an efficient way of meeting the requirements of the Department and the needs of beneficiaries. Our aim is to provide a cost-effective payment service whilst keeping under review the effect on the Post Office of the growth in payments by automated credit transfer and the needs of beneficiaries in rural areas.