POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNTS

Early day motion 572, tabled 23 January 2003 by Lord O'Neill of Clackmannan (Labour). Signed by 391 members.

That this House believes that those Post Office customers who wish to continue receiving their benefits, pension payments and tax credits through the Post Office, following the introduction of ACT in April, should be allowed to do so through a post office card account opened at the counter of a post office or sub-post office; further believes that customers should be offered a genuine choice between the options available, including a post office card account; supports the National Federation of Subpostmasters' call that there should be no administrative obstacles to customers opening a post office card account; notes the importance of post office card accounts to the future financial viability of sub-post offices; and calls upon the Government to ensure that there is a level playing field in the marketing, promotion and advertising of the banking options from all Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Works and Pensions, the Inland Revenue and the Veterans Agency.

Signatures by party: Labour 167, Conservative 138, Liberal Democrat 51, Labour/Co-operative 13, Scottish National Party 5, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 4, UUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 1, Independent Conservative 1.