BEIS0000341
BEIS0000341
Fyt @
To: 1) President
2) Mrs Roche
From: George Hall
Director of Corporate Affairs
ICL ae
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Originated by: Katherine Hathaway, CllSal
2.124, BPR, 2274/98
Filename: hall01.doc
Copies to: B}
Diary Secretary
PS/Mr McCartney
David Foskett, XP2b
Mary Holterhoff, CII
Although acceptance of a meeting with Mr Akikusa of Fujitsu would have been
strongly recommended, both dates offered are dates on which the President is
overseas. However, a Minister should meet with Mr Akikusa because of Fujitsu’s
majority shareholding in ICL which they have publicly committed to float in 2000.
ICL are currently two years behind on a major Pfl project for the Post Office
(HORIZON) which will allow PO Counters Ltd (POCL) to deliver a wide range of
services including Benefits Agency payments which currently comprise 30% of
POCL’s business. ICL have recently agreed to undergo an independent Treasury
led review of the project which is due to report within a two month timeframe. If
the project is deemed to be non-viable these may be significant implications for both
ICL and POCL.
Mr McCartney has been fully briefed on the HORIZON project and is to meet with
Keith Todd, Chief Executive of ICL to discuss the issue: Mr McCartney cannot
however meet with Mr Akikusa, as he is also overseas.
Refusal of a Ministerial meeting with Mr Akikusa in this context might convey an
undesirable message to Fujitsu and should be avoided if possible. We have
therefore submitted a draft suggesting a meeting with Mrs Roche on the morning of
18 May.
(CL