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Question
Can the Minister provide further details on the upcoming legislation? Why are DWP prosecutions excluded, and what steps will be taken to ensure their delivery of exonerations?
Minister reply
The criteria for convictions to be overturned include prosecutors by Post Office Ltd and CPS. Regarding DWP, specific measures will be discussed with relevant departments to address any exclusions.
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Question
What conversations have the Minister had with the Lord Chancellor about this matter? What safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of such legislation?
Minister reply
Discussions are ongoing, including addressing concerns about setting precedents. Safeguards will be put in place to ensure this does not become a precedent for inappropriate use.
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Question
Are there any convictions due to the pre-Horizon system Capture that should be included in the legislation and compensation schemes?
Minister reply
The advisory board will review data from Capture. If losses occurred due to Capture failures, these cases will be considered for inclusion.
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Question
May I thank the Minister for advance sight of his statement? The Horizon scandal has rightly left the public outraged by the scale and shocking details of the injustice that has been committed. The scandal is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British history... (Full question as provided).
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Member for her collaborative comments. I am keen to work with her going forward, as we have every step of the way on this issue. I do not accept that we have made little progress... (Full answer as provided).
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Question
Will the Minister take UK Government Investments out of its role of controlling and supervising the Post Office? It has allowed these gross injustices to go on for too long, allowing the Post Office senior managers to rack up huge losses of £1,391 million... (Full question as provided).
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. He and I have had serious conversations about the future of the Post Office, which I am keen to continue to engage on. The current UKGI representative who sits on the Post Office board is Lorna Gratton... (Full answer as provided).
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Question
I thank the Minister for advance sight of his statement. Under successive Labour, Tory and Liberal Ministers, Post Office Ltd has overseen the largest miscarriage of justice in UK history. The Horizon scandal is just appalling... (Full question as provided).
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her work and for her points, including on the devolved issues around Scotland and Northern Ireland which she is right to raise. We considered that very carefully... (Full answer as provided).
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Question
I commend the Minister and the Secretary of State for the firm and consistent approach the Government are taking to getting justice for the affected sub-postmasters. We heard earlier about precedent. The Minister will know that many of us have concerns about precedent in bringing forward special legislation in this case... (Full question as provided).
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his point and for his work on the Select Committee. He is right that we will take those steps very carefully and very much as a last resort... (Full answer as provided).
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Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Question
Expresses gratitude for the Minister's attention to the issue but criticises the slow pace of redress and low offers. Points out that only 40% of the allocated budget for the Horizon scheme has been paid out, with only 4% for the overturned conviction scheme. Calls for hardwired instructions in legislation to deliver compensation within a fixed timetable.
Minister reply
Thanks Byrne for his kind words and points; agrees that compensation is slow but insists offers are fair. Mentions 58 full claims submitted under GLO, with 41 accepted without further review. Discusses the independent panel overseeing the Horizon shortfall scheme and the advisory board's recommendations. Notes a £1 billion budget cap set by government. Explains delays due to overturned convictions not yet being processed.
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Question
Raises concern about the case of Mr Graham Ward, who is frustrated with the GLO compensation process. Suggests that a £75,000 fixed-sum offer is inadequate given the losses incurred. Urges the Minister to consider an alternative 40-day assessment route.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Patel's engagement and correspondence regarding Mr Ward’s case. Explains two claim routes: fixed sum of £75,000 or full-assessment for higher claims which involves forensic accountants. Emphasises the need to give claimants the benefit of doubt.
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Question
Welcomes government's approach on overturned convictions but criticises the Post Office's ongoing involvement in the compensation process, citing a toxic culture. Suggests that the advisory board recommends excluding the Post Office from this process.
Minister reply
Thanks Kevan Jones for his work and notes progress made under his guidance. Agrees to further discussions on Capture system evidence. Reiterates independent reviewers overseeing processes like GLO scheme and overturned convictions.
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Question
Welcomes the government's approach but expresses concern about the difficulty of obtaining evidence for claims spanning 20 years. Asks how the Government plans to start the payment process when such information is unavailable.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Baillie’s concerns and stresses that where evidence is impossible to obtain, a view should be taken based on compelling broader claims. Emphasises fairness in compensation regardless of lack of specific documentation.
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Question
I thank the Minister and his predecessor for their work on this. On full and fair compensation, I am worried about people accepting £600,000 as a quick settlement without fully assessing their claim's true value. What mechanisms will prevent undervaluing of claims?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point. Full and fair compensation is paramount. Interim payments of £450,000 are being offered to ease financial pressure on those in the overturned conviction cohort, reducing incentives for quick settlements.
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Question
Will the scope of the Bill apply only to prosecutions from CPS and Post Office Ltd., excluding DWP cases where sentences were given? This seems unjust.
Minister reply
We have carefully considered this. The evidence base for convictions upheld by DWP is higher, including surveillance and examination of stolen benefit books/girocheques. People can still appeal their convictions through the Court of Appeal route.
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Question
I welcome updates on the compensation scheme but disagree that the Horizon scandal is unprecedented, referencing other scandals like infected blood and banking fraud. Should these benefit from a docudrama?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman outlines particular scandals, but my responsibility extends only to the Post Office. I thank him for his campaigning on behalf of Mr and Mrs Rudkin and hope they get full compensation soon.
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Question
Will all those with overturned convictions be compensated before the general election?
Minister reply
We plan to table legislation next month, hoping to overturn all convictions by July. We aim for full compensation by the end of this year but cannot guarantee it will happen before the general election.
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Question
What assessment has been made of likely number of people wrongfully convicted outside set boundaries? What support is available for bringing their own appeals against wrongful convictions?
Minister reply
We see a significant body of evidence showing wrongful convictions in the Horizon case. The DWP cases are different due to evidential standards; there are around 70-100 such cases, with most overturned by legislation.
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Question
My constituent, Mr Pennington, faced stress due to Horizon system errors. He was offered only £1,500 for 11 years of financial distress. Why has my letter about this case not been answered?
Minister reply
I will chase the correspondence as soon as I leave the Chamber and ensure the hon. Lady receives a response at the earliest opportunity.
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Question
Is there resistance from within Post Office to resolve this injustice? Will legislation apply to Northern Ireland, given it is devolved and has a different justice system?
Minister reply
Justice and judicial systems are devolved in Northern Ireland. The decision not to include Northern Ireland was due to overturning individual cases being unprecedented, though I am open to further conversations on this matter.
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Question
Sub-postmasters lack trust in the compensation processes managed by the Post Office or Government. Despite today's commitments, some inequalities remain and undue influence persists. Will the Minister agree to an external independent body for the schemes? When will legislation overturning convictions be tabled before the general election or summer recess?
Minister reply
Acknowledges Kate Osborne's campaigning efforts and highlights that 41 out of 58 full claims under the GLO scheme have been accepted without further stages, suggesting fair compensation. Emphasises independent oversight by retired judges in both the GLO scheme and overturned convictions schemes. Confirms legislation will be tabled in March with passage expected by July.
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Question
Calls for Northern Ireland to be included in the upcoming legislation, noting that a cross-party consensus exists there supporting it. Asks if the Minister can reconsider and include Northern Ireland in the legislation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges disappointment and confirms discussions with Northern Ireland's Justice Minister last week. Stresses continued engagement with Northern Irish officials to avoid delays for affected individuals.
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Question
Requests an apology from the Minister to Louise Dar, a former sub-postmistress, for damage caused by Post Office Ltd and Horizon. Asks for swift compensation for her and other victims.
Minister reply
Apologises unreservedly for the injustice done to Louise and commits to delivering compensation swiftly.
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Question
Questions the Minister's repeated assurances about the compensation scheme, noting a letter from Nick Read suggesting that over half of convictions are safe. Asks how sub-postmasters can have confidence in a scheme influenced by the Post Office.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Clive Efford's consistent contributions and confirms no influence from the Post Office CEO's letter on the compensation process. Stresses independent oversight through advisory boards.
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Question
Urges reconsideration of excluding Northern Ireland from the legislation, given cross-party support there for inclusion. Points to Parliament's history of intervening in devolved matters.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concern and confirms ongoing engagement with Northern Irish officials to ensure no delays or denials of compensation.
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Question
Refers to reports that 250 victims have passed away without knowing they would be cleared or compensated. Asks for assurances on family member compensation, apologies and quick processing.
Minister reply
Apologises for the impact on families of deceased victims and confirms that claims can still go forward for estates. Emphasises compensation routes available to directly affected family members.