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OFFICAL — SENSITIVE
vs
Department
for Business 1 Victoria Street
. " Lond
Innovation & Skills SWiHOET
Alan Bates
Chairman, JFSA
GRO —
Our ref: MCB2014/08461
April 2014
Thank you for your letter of 16 April to Jo Swinson MP, about the Initial Case Review
and Mediation Scheme. I am the Minister responsible for Post Office policy, while Jo
Swinson takes maternity leave.
The Government is supportive of the desire to resolve the issues raised by
Subpostmasters in a timely manner however, as shareholder, it cannot be involved in
operational matters concerning Post Office Ltd or the Working Group.
Clearly the matters you raise are important to you and I understand your desire for them
to be addressed but it is important that they are addressed by the appropriate parties.
Paula Vennells, as Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd is accountable to the Government
for operational matters and Lam also conscious that the Scheme, is }am-consciousthat-
verseen by the Working Group comprising representatives
from the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, Post Office Ltd, and Second Sight, has an
independent Chair in Sir Anthony Hooper._As a member of the Working Group I am sure
you will understand that =the ShEIEDHa Dexerniiah jay Share deleet Ii naet nies a
apsrpriats.dasice.GGaiven the ristrs you raiseyour-concerne relate to the operation
of the Working Group, and also specifically about the engagement of Post Office Ltd with
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OFFICAL — SENSITIVE
10 Ithe Scheme,- I intend to forward a copy of your letter to both Sir Anthony Hooper and
10 I Paula Vennells. so that they can make informed responses to the issues that you have
1l,... Iraised]. — If you-you have any objections to my doing so, please let me know].contact-
I would be grateful for your response by Wednesday 30 April.
JENNY WILLOTT MP
UKGI00002256
UKG100002256
OFFICAL — SENSITIVE
Department
for Business 1 Victoria Street
Innovation & Skills SWINOET
SirAnthonyHooper ee GRO
c/o Working Group Secretariat
148 Old Street
London
EC1V 9HQ
www.gov.ukibis
‘Our ref: MCB2014/08461
April 2014
I have recently received a letter from Alan Bates, Chair of the Justice for Subpostmasters
Alliance (“JFSA”) regarding the Initial Case Review and Mediation Scheme, of which the
JFSA plays a role as a member of the Working Group, and of which you are independent
Chair.
The Government, as shareholder in Post Office Ltd, does not play a role in the operation
of the Working Group, and is keenly aware that you must be allowed to perform your
duties independently and free from influence.
The Government is supportive of the aim to resolve concerns of subpostmasters in a
timely manner and especilally those who have lodged applications with the
Scheme. i
In that spirit, Vai am forwarding ‘to you
correspondence from the JFSA that sets out their concerns about the operation of the
Scheme. This is provided without prejudice, and I have previously-informed the Mr_
BatesJFSA that I would be forwarding his letter to you to enable you to respond.sharing-
JENNY WILLOTT MP
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OFFICAL — SENSITIVE
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OFFICAL — SENSITIVE
Department
for Business 1 Victoria Street
. 7 Lond
Innovation & Skills SWIH OET
Paula Vennells
Chief Executive Officer
148 Old Street
London www.gov.uk/bis
EC1V 9HQ Our ref: MCB2014/08461
April 2014
I have recently received a letter from Alan Bates, Chair of the Justice for Subpostmasters
19, 20 I Alliance (“JFSA”) regarding the Initial Case Review and Mediation Scheme. of-which-
As you will be aware, the Government, as shareholder in Post Office Ltd, does not play a
21 Irole in operational matters relating to Post Office td, or rene Working Group. ae eee
dulScIAdepardantaunafoeromnnuancs— —
22 I The Government is supportive of aim to resolve concerns raised by subpostmasters in a
timely manner the Working-Group-and the-ambitions-of the Scheme, and believes it is in
23 Ithe interests of all parties for that to happen, especially those who have lodged
24 I applications fortheir-cases to-be-considered_for there tobe-atimely resolutionwith the_
Scheme.
In that spirit, I am forwarding to you correspondence from the JFSA that sets out their
concerns about the operation of the Scheme and Post Office Ltd’s engagement in the
25,26 Iprocess. This is provided without prejudice, and I have previously-informed Mr Bates _
27 I\that the JESA thatI would be sending his letter to you to respond.haring-theiretterwith-
your
JENNY WILLOTT MP
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Belinda Crowe,
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