Examination of Witnesses (Question 660-665)
MR ALAN
COOK AND
MR GRAHAM
HALLIDAY
9 MAY 2006
Q660 Jim Cousins: Of the number of
the Post Office Card Accounts, how many of them are DWP service
and how many of them are HMRC?
Mr Cook: I think that is what
we are going to come back to you on.
Q661 Chairman: In the big picture
submission to us it is very important. A couple of last questions.
Our reports are open-ended, as you know, and we come back to reports
as and when, so we will have a watching-brief on the issue of
LINK. What are the characteristics of the consumers using the
Post Office Card Account? For example, how many are pensioners,
how many have disabilities, how many are on low income? Do you
have information on that you can share with us?
Mr Halliday: Yes, we can send
you that information.[8]
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Q662 Chairman: How many of the people
using the Post Office Card Account have a separate bank account
which they also use for day-to-day transactions?
Mr Halliday: We believe it is
up to 70%.
Q663 Chairman: Maybe you could give
us more detail on that?
Mr Cook: We can certainly do that.
Q664 Chairman: On the issue of the
45 post offices which have been converted from free to charging
by the Alliance and Leicester, you know we are always very helpful
to our witnesses and I got my staff to go downstairs to check
my mind was correct. Alliance and Leicester have a free cash machine
right downstairs with a big plate on it which says, "Free".
So when you write to Alliance and Leicester say that I am suggesting
that they make that one charging and make one in one of the financially
excluded areas free, and that is a good deal, otherwise they are
just being cynical. Okay?
Mr Cook: I will pass that message
on.
Mr Mudie: You will be very unpopular
in this building, John!
Q665 Chairman: Thank you for your
time.
Mr Cook: Thank you.
8 29 Ev 439 Back
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