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From: Swinson MPST[/O=DTI/OU=DTIHQ/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=SWINSONMPST]
Sent: Tue 09/07/2013 11:22:24 AM (UTC)
To: ‘Dan York-Smitht, GRO
Ce:
*; Gibson
Swinson MPSTf
Boughen Aileen (Communications)[}
Subject: RE: Post Office - potential for Urgent Question
Dan
Here is the text of Jo Swinson's Oral statement, which will be sent over to the Opposition. It highlights that Royal Mail is a
separate business to the Post Office.
Best
Emily
Text
Yesterday evening an interim report into alleged problems with the Post Office Horizon computer system was
published. The report was commissioned by Post Office Ltd from external forensic accountants, Second Sight.
The Horizon system records all transactions conducted at every post office counter across the country. The
Government welcomes the publication of this interim Report and the Post Office’s statement in response.
Although Post Office Ltd is 100% owned by Government, the company operates at arm’s length as an
independent commercial business. The Government does not play any role in operational matters.
It is important to note that the issues in the report have no impact on Royal Mail which is an entirely separate
business.
It is also important to be clear that, contrary to misleading media reports, the review explicitly confirms that
“we have so far found no evidence of system-wide problems with the Horizon software”
The very small number of subpostmasters who have experienced issues with the Horizon system are a minute
proportion of the tens of thousands of people who have been successfully using the system across the network
of over 11,500 branches on a daily basis since 1995. Out of 68,000 users, only 47 cases have been put forward
to the Review.
I want to emphasise that the interim report makes no comment about the safety or otherwise of any conviction
of a subpostmaster for fraud, theft or false accounting.
Equally, even if it had done, the Government cannot intervene in the legal process to review or appeal past
convictions. These are matters which can only properly be dealt with by the relevant judicial authorities.
The interim report published yesterday analysed 4 cases. It did find that there was scope for the Post Office to
improve aspects of its support and training for subpostmasters. The Post Office has already taken steps to do
so.
The Post Office has further proposed a number of measures to build on some of the points made in the Second
Sight report about support and training for subpostmasters. I very much welcome these initiatives as, I
understand, does my Hon Friend the Rt hon. James Arbuthnot who has played a key supporting role in
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identifying cases for examination in this Review.
The Post Office statement issued yesterday welcomed the broad thrust of the report’s findings and outlined
three initiatives to deal with the issues raised.
Firstly, they will set up a working party to complete the review of cases started by Second Sight. This will
consider all 47 cases brought forward by the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA) and MPs. The JFSA
have been invited to join this working party.
Secondly, an independent figure will chair a review to determine how best to adjudicate disputed cases in
future. Again the JFSA and other stakeholders will be invited to take part in this process.
And finally a new Branch User Forum will provide a channel for sub-postmasters and others to raise issues
around business processes, training and support, at the highest level.
The company will be taking forward these proposals as an urgent priority.
I commend this statement to the House.
From: Swinson MPST
Sent: 09 July 2013 10:39
To: ‘Dan York-Smith’
‘Ce: Robin Gordon-Farleigh; Cable MPST; SPAD Cable MPST; Swinson MPST; Gibson Will (ShEx); Whitehead Mike (ShEx); Batten Peter (ShEx)
Subject: FW: Post Office - potential for Urgent Question
Importance: — High
Dan
For background, here is a short note we sent to Alistair Carmichael that provides some background for you on the issue.
Our private office will share a copy of the draft oral statement with you this morning. You noted on our call the importance
of it being clear the Post Office is a separate company to Royal Mail given the RM statement tomorrow.
Thanks
Emily
Emily Cloke I Senior Private Secretary to Jo Swinson MP I Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
mpst.swinso! } 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET iwww.bis.gov.ukI
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is making a difference by supporting sustained growth and higher skills across the economy. BIS:
working together for growth
From: Swinson MPST
Sent: 09 July 2013 08:52
To: ‘carmichaela@j”
Cc: Cable MPST; SPAD Cable MPST; Swinson MPST; 'crabbs@i
Subject: Post Office - potential for Urgent Question
Importance: High
Alistair
You and Jo Swinson spoke last night on the potential for an urgent question on the Post Office today. I understand you
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will speak to the Speaker before 9.30am to help put forward the Government's arguments on why this urgent question
should not be granted.
Please find attached the report, as you discussed with Jo last night. I also attach a short note, which highlights
background and relevant paragraphs in the report that support the Government's arguments.
<< File: POL Interim Report Signed.pdf >> << File: POST OFFICE LTD COMPUTER SYSTEM (2).doc >>
1am also copying in Stephen Crabb for background, who has been in touch with this office on the potential for an urgent
question after James Arbuthnot raised the issue with him.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch before 9.30am if you would like any further information.
Best
Emily
Emily Cloke I Senior Private Secretary to Jo Swinson MP I Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
mpst.swinso! GRO II 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET [i I www.bis.gov.ukI
‘The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is making a difference by supporting sustained growth and higher skills across the economy. BIS:
working together for growth