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Written question asked by Lord Birt (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 16 June 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 June 2020. It was answered by Lord Callanan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 June 2020 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.


Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry

Question

Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets on 10 June (HCWS280) announcing an Independent Review into the Post Office Horizon IT System and Trials, whether that Review (1) will take account of the “significant failings within Post Office Ltd over nearly two decades” identified by Mr Justice Fraser, (2) will have the power to require Ministers, Board Members, executives, staff and suppliers associated with the organisation throughout the period to appear before it, and (3) will have the power to access all relevant documentation from throughout the period. [T]

Answer

The findings outlined throughout the Horizon judgments provided an extensive insight as to what went wrong at the Post Office, including an independent judicial view of the facts all sides were looking for. However, the Government accepts more needs to be done. The Government now wants to be fully assured that through the Independent Review there is a public summary of the failings that occurred at Post Office Ltd, drawing on the judgments from the Horizon case and by listening to those that have been most affected, without repeating the extensive findings of Justice Fraser.

Post Office Ltd have committed to fully cooperating with the Review. The Review will have sufficient strength and breadth and deliver in a timely manner. The Chair of the review will be fully independent of both the Post Office and Government. They will draw conclusions and make recommendations as he or she sees fit.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL5752
Session
2019-21
Procedure
Topical questions for written answer
Related items
Business Update
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
Written statements
House of Commons
Horizon IT System: Civil Proceedings
Tuesday, 14 July 2020
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk