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Question
Hollinrake raised concerns regarding the availability of the appeals process for those without new evidence, potential delays in the appeal process compared to taking the £75,000 top-up option, and asked for a specific timeline for the appeals implementation.
Minister reply
Reynolds acknowledged the flaws in existing schemes but did not specify if all claimants could access the appeals process or confirm legal representation entitlements. He agreed that mitigating delays is critical but provided no additional timeline beyond 'as soon as possible'.
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Question
Hollinrake questioned the delay in sending out letters to postmasters with quashed convictions, expressing concern over finger-pointing within government departments.
Minister reply
Reynolds conceded delays exist but did not provide specifics on steps taken to address these issues beyond mentioning they are a matter for another department.
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Question
Inquired about the status of Sir Gary Hickinbottom's appointment across all three schemes to expedite claims.
Minister reply
Reynolds did not confirm the appointment but agreed on its importance for expediting claims.
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Question
Hollinrake thanked the Secretary of State for his statement, welcomed the new appeals process but questioned its eligibility criteria. He also asked about delays in sending out letters for quashed convictions and if Sir Gary Hickinbottom had been appointed as the scheme reviewer.
Minister reply
Reynolds responded that the appeals scheme would not be available to those who have already received a top-up of £75,000. He stated that the eligibility criteria will be consulted with postmasters before implementation and confirmed that legal representation is part of the scheme. On delays in sending letters, Reynolds provided updated figures and encouraged proactive registration by claimants. Regarding Hickinbottom's appointment, he promised to write back to Hollinrake with an update.
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Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Question
Byrne congratulated Sir Alan Bates and Lady Suzanne on their happy day. He welcomed the minister's announcement but raised concerns about delays in contested claim offers. The Select Committee had called for a target to issue initial offers within 40 working days.
Minister reply
Reynolds acknowledged Byrne’s point and confirmed that the new targets include issuing initial offers to 90% of claims within 40 working days after receiving full claims, as recommended by the Select Committee.
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Question
I thank the Secretary of State for sight of the statement and, indeed, for his decision to come to the House at this early stage to update us on progress. I think it is worth saying that we are dealing with a catastrophic injustice that has affected hundreds upon hundreds of families—people who have paid with their livelihoods and, in some cases, tragically, with their lives... (Full question as provided)
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Member for that question. Specifically on the figures for the Horizon convictions redress scheme, he is right to say that there are only six claims where interim payments have been made so far, but I can assure him that I would expect that to rise rapidly following the announcement we have made, and I will keep the House informed as to all of that. (Full answer as provided)
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Question
I welcome today’s statement on the appeals process, and thank Ministers for their engagement with me on this issue and in advance of the meetings we will have later this week... (Full question as provided)
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and recognise her contribution on this issue over many years. She is right to say that the appeals process I am announcing today will be run in-house by the Department for Business and Trade... (Full answer as provided)
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Question
Dewi Lewis of Penrhyndeudraeth is a former sub-postmaster who endured four months of imprisonment and had to wear a tag for another four months for a crime he never committed... (Full question as provided)
Minister reply
I recognise very much what the right hon. Member is saying. I have had personal friends who were directly affected by this issue. Even though I was their MP as well as their friend, they did not feel able to tell me about it because they were so concerned about the impact on their reputation—they could not even tell a friend who was a Member of Parliament... (Full answer as provided)
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Question
I thank the Secretary of State for this statement. I also have constituents who are affected and I am grateful for the information about the appeals system... (Full question as provided)
Minister reply
As I have said in previous answers, we have to understand that that scepticism and concern is valid. The scale of this scandal is so large that people will challenge their Members of Parliament on how they feel about what they may be asked to do, and the risk that that poses to what is still an essential business and provider of services to all our constituents... (Full answer as provided)
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Question
I welcome the update to the House today. We saw through the ITV series that Lord Arbuthnot, like many, was an exemplary constituency MP and something for us to all aspire to... (Full question as provided)
Minister reply
I very much echo the hon. Lady’s point that, if there is one bit where our political system operated well in this, it is the constituency link and the classic Member of Parliament’s surgery, although the story as a whole is clearly unsatisfactory... (Full answer as provided)
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Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State’s statement but questions whether his Department is satisfied with how the Post Office provides information for the appeals process given the mistrust in the Post Office.
Minister reply
The scheme has been delivered in-house by the Department for Business and Trade to address concerns about trust. The minister commits to regular updates on progress.
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Question
Asks if the Lord Chancellor can update Parliament on the progress of quashing convictions for those affected by the Horizon scandal.
Minister reply
Work is proceeding rapidly, and people are encouraged to register their credentials proactively. The minister assures that updates will be provided regularly.
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Question
Concerned about the length of time it takes for convictions to be quashed, asks what measures are being taken to speed up the process.
Minister reply
The minister recognises Mahesh's situation and assures that cross-referencing is proceeding at pace. He encourages proactive registration by those who know they are affected.
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Question
Questions the take-up of compensation claims so far and suggests simplifying application forms while stressing the importance of awareness campaigns.
Minister reply
The minister expresses dissatisfaction until everyone has redress. He mentions a significant increase in claimants following media coverage and pledges to continue efforts for full awareness.
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Question
Asks about the Government's actions regarding the investigation of the predecessor Capture system.
Minister reply
The minister confirms that forensic accountants are investigating Capture, a precursor to Horizon software. Their findings will be used for necessary updates.
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Question
Acknowledges the Secretary of State's commitment and asks about assurance regarding restoration of reputation and financial compensation.
Minister reply
The minister commits to learning lessons from past events to ensure a better approach in the future, focusing on trust and justice.
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Question
Asks how much of the compensation and redress scheme will address issues such as reputation damage and financial uncertainty.
Minister reply
The minister understands the need for different schemes to correct specific problems. He offers personal assistance in case studies.
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Question
Asks for reassurance that those who brought malicious prosecutions will be held accountable.
Minister reply
The minister agrees and emphasises the need to address loss of confidence in state institutions through thorough investigation.
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Question
Stresses that restoring trust is more than providing redress, asks about future lessons learned across public sector.
Minister reply
The minister recognises the need for a business model supporting postmasters with decent returns and essential services.
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Question
The Secretary of State knows that 26 postmasters in Northern Ireland were wrongly convicted. I thank him for his work with the Northern Ireland Executive to bring forward the necessary legislative process. I seek his reassurance that the redress scheme will be equally open to Northern Ireland postmasters who were wrongly convicted because of a UK-wide issue. Will the redress scheme apply to them as well?
Minister reply
People are aware that it is fairly challenging to have a situation in which justice is devolved across the United Kingdom. At times that has very much affected the debate in this House. I believe that what the hon. Gentleman says is the case, but I will write to him about the Northern Irish situation to give him the information that he needs.
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Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement and look forward to things proceeding to the necessary conclusion. Redress is about righting wrongs, but there was more than one wrongdoer—there was also Fujitsu. Last week, the Prime Minister told us that firms that had fallen short in relation to Grenfell would be removed from Government contracts. Bearing in mind Fujitsu’s actions and that there was at least one suicide, will it be treated in the same way? Will there be redress against its unlawful actions as well?
Minister reply
I agree with the hon. Member. That is a crucial and important question. I welcome Fujitsu acknowledging its moral responsibility in relation to these matters. I understand that it is participating fully with the Sir Wyn Williams inquiry. We will need that inquiry to conclude. We should not pre-empt that in any way and take any decisions before that process has been gone through properly, given that we all support it. Accountability will flow from the inquiry. It will be an important step and it will affect many, many organisations that have been part of this story. Fujitsu will clearly be one of them.