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Question
The hon. Member questions the adequacy of the Minister's response, citing long-term advocacy efforts on this issue. He asks if the Government were involved in Post Office decisions regarding prosecutions and compensation processes. Additionally, he calls for a full public inquiry with powers to summon witnesses.
Minister reply
Paul Scully (Worcester) (Con) responds that while operational decisions are Post Office's responsibility, lessons need to be learned. He mentions existing statutory schemes under section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 for compensation and an ongoing historical shortfall scheme assessing over 2,200 claims. The judge-led inquiry aims to get evidence and answers quickly.
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Question
My hon. Friend questions how a reputable organisation like the Post Office could fall prey to groupthink leading to wrongful convictions of sub-postmasters due to computer glitches, calling for proper accountability of the Post Office and Fujitsu.
Minister reply
Paul Scully (Worcester) (Con) states that under Sir Wyn Williams' chairmanship, they will seek evidence from the Post Office and Fujitsu on who knew what and when during this period. He hopes sub-postmasters will share their stories to get to the bottom of this issue.
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Question
Questions the Minister about the Post Office's continued opposition to appeals despite being a Government shareholder, asks for an admission of gross oversight failure, seeks details on costs and compensation, inquires if terms of reference will be amended to include compensation, and questions whether independent prosecution powers should be reviewed.
Minister reply
States that operational decisions are up to the Post Office board, not government; inquiry will question those involved; sub-postmasters can share evidence in the inquiry but it cannot direct compensation.
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Question
Questions if excluding consideration of compensation from the inquiry risks worsening an already dreadful situation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges horror at injustice; people can talk about their losses in the inquiry; Sir Wyn Williams will present findings.
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Question
Pays tribute to those who worked for justice, asks if costs from compensation will put post office network at risk and questions non-statutory review as promised independent inquiry.
Minister reply
Post Office will work out compensation in due course; new chief executive aims to improve relationship with postmasters; review is judge-led as requested.
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Question
Asks for confidence that all stakeholders will support the inquiry and if it can ensure such miscarriages of justice never repeat.
Minister reply
Sir Wyn Williams to engage with sub-postmasters; mechanisms available to chairman to look further at evidence if needed.
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Question
Asks about impact of Horizon case on recruitment and future of post offices in rural areas, particularly urban ones.
Minister reply
Anxious to keep network at target level; difficulty due to situation gone by and complexity of the system; positive relationship with stakeholders will improve recruitment.
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Question
Welcomes Post Office's intent to reset relationship but asks for measures to ensure it happens, seeks timescale on compensation.
Minister reply
Compensation depends on situation of individuals; chief executive engaged regularly to improve recruitment through better future relationship.
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Question
Thanks Post Office staff for their work during crisis, asks about action against those who presided over the scandal.
Minister reply
Independent inquiry will get necessary answers to prevent recurrence.
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Question
Congratulates Minister on appointment and seeks assurance of full co-operation from Post Office, learning lessons and preventing repetition.
Minister reply
Thanks for congratulations; determination to learn through independent inquiry.
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Question
Asks if those involved in perpetuating the scandal should be punished, not promoted and shamed.
Minister reply
Honours Committee will look at backgrounds; people involved need to engage with inquiry.
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Question
For years, pleas from MPs to address the Post Office Horizon scandal have been ignored. What protections will the Government put in place so that powerful organisations like the Post Office cannot behave unaccountably and use the criminal courts?
Minister reply
The Post Office is not using private prosecutions any more. An independent inquiry will be established to get to the bottom of the issue to ensure it never happens again.
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Question
What can the Department do to ensure that post office branches in rural areas, which are crucial for their communities and face reputational damage due to the scandal, remain viable?
Minister reply
The Government will work with the Post Office to introduce greater banking services to expand branch viability. The network's future viability is important while addressing past issues.
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Question
Will the Minister, along with his predecessors, write a cross-party letter apologising for their roles in the Post Office Horizon scandal to the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman's call will be echoed; people who believe their convictions are not safe should contact relevant review commissions.
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Question
Does the Minister agree with the Justice Committee’s recommendation that organisations conducting private prosecutions should meet public prosecutor standards and will he discuss this with the Lord Chancellor urgently?
Minister reply
The Government will consider the report's sensible points and respond in due course.
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Question
When did the Minister know that the Post Office would not oppose appeals, what discussions were had with officials regarding costs involved for the Post Office?
Minister reply
Discussions are regular and the decision is the Post Office’s; they acknowledge past wrongs.
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Question
Can the Minister assure that he will do everything possible to ensure the Post Office keeps its commitments made, ensuring lessons are learned so this never happens again?
Minister reply
The independent inquiry is set up for sub-postmasters to be heard, and it aims to report back within a year.
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Question
Will the Minister make sure that justice will be served to people affected by this scandal and are managed and organised by humans?
Minister reply
The independent inquiry will get answers sought; we await its findings.
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Question
Can the Minister assure that victims of the scandal, like Maria, can give evidence so they are heard and there is a conclusion to this inquiry within the next year?
Minister reply
Sub-postmasters will have their voices heard; it depends on Sir Wyn Williams.
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Question
What measures are in place to ensure proper justice is served, especially for those affected by wrongful convictions?
Minister reply
Postmasters who have had wrongful convictions have other methods of compensation.
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Question
Will the Minister ensure that any recommendations from the inquiry will be acted on promptly, ensuring no similar scandal can happen in future?
Minister reply
Recommendations will be taken seriously; senior management at Post Office are being spoken to.
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Question
Will the inquiry have statutory powers to ensure full justice is served, including cross-examination of witnesses?
Minister reply
The Prime Minister promised an independent inquiry; Sir Wyn Williams will instigate it and report back if needed.
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Question
Is the Government committed to ensuring every single person who was disadvantaged is fairly compensated?
Minister reply
A separate director within Post Office Ltd will look at the historic shortfall scheme; postmasters with wrongful convictions have other compensation methods.
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Emma Hardy
Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Question
My constituent Tracy Major was falsely accused of stealing £24,000 from Anlaby Park post office. She has had her reputation destroyed, she is suffering unimaginable stress, and faces losing more than £150,000. She received only £20,000 in compensation. How will the Government and Post Office ensure she receives justice?
Minister reply
If Tracy Major was part of group litigation, her case would be part of a full and final settlement agreed with the Post Office where wrongful convictions are not contested. Those outside this group can seek other methods for compensation.
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Question
Sub-postmasters operate in small communities where everyone knows each other, making their suffering very public. Will the Minister assure that the inquiry will not be a whitewash and that sub-postmasters can provide evidence?
Minister reply
The inquiry, led by retired judge Sir Wyn Williams, is determined to get answers from the Post Office and Fujitsu and will hear from sub-postmasters about their experiences.
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Question
People have had their reputations trashed, faced bankruptcy and imprisonment. What is being done to assist them while we wait for the inquiry's outcome?
Minister reply
The non-statutory nature of the inquiry aims to provide answers within a year, avoiding delays that can occur with statutory inquiries.
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Question
Will the Minister meet urgently with the Attorney General to discuss the Justice Committee's report recommendations to ensure safeguards against wrongful convictions?
Minister reply
The Minister is always willing to speak to the Attorney General and will consider the Justice Committee’s report.
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Question
Will the inquiry be sufficient in judicial oversight? What steps are being taken to address difficulties in recruiting postmasters?
Minister reply
The Post Office is committed to filling postmaster positions, although other factors also contribute to recruitment challenges.
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Question
Will the Minister commit to studying recommendations from the inquiry to ensure that such issues never happen again?
Minister reply
Yes, the non-statutory nature of the inquiry allows for quick answers and implementation of measures to prevent future occurrences.
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Question
The Communication Workers Union has campaigned on this issue. What are the statutory powers of the inquiry? How much taxpayers' money was spent opposing appeals?
Minister reply
A non-statutory inquiry avoids excessive costs and time delays. The Post Office funded prosecutions through its own profits.
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Question
Can the Minister assure that we will get to the bottom of what has gone wrong?
Minister reply
The independent inquiry aims to ensure thorough investigation and accountability for past issues.
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Question
Why is a full independent statutory inquiry not being set up, and will the Minister commit to returning with compensation arrangements?
Minister reply
The independent inquiry aims to provide answers quickly. Compensation is a matter for the Post Office.
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Question
What steps are being taken now to support victims and ensure such mistakes never happen again?
Minister reply
Answers from Sir Wyn Williams' investigation will be provided within about a year, aiming to draw a line for those affected.
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Question
Why is the promise of a full independent inquiry being broken, given hundreds have been wrongly sued and imprisoned?
Minister reply
The inquiry is both independent and comprehensive, with results expected in a few months to address past issues.