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2,186 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHospitality Sector: Covid-19It is not only that we need a pint. For pubs, it is about not just coming back for the opening, but making sure that it is an enjoyable experience for people, so they keep on…16 Jun 2020HANSARDHospitality Sector: Covid-19I have met regularly with a large number of representatives of hospitality organisations to discuss the issues that they are experiencing, including through the BEIS ministerial…16 Jun 2020HANSARDHospitality Sector: Covid-19It is time for me to add my voice to those of Members across the House expressing their condolences to the loved ones of Jo Cox and, indeed, wishing a swift recovery to the hon.…16 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsIn terms of the whistleblower, Justice Fraser recommended a number of individuals to the criminal prosecution service, and that will follow its train accordingly. In terms of the…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for that promotion to Secretary of State. He raises some really important points. The point is that, whether we call it a review or an inquiry, the…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsWe will, of course, review that and keep it in our mind.10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI sympathise with the hon. Lady’s constituent who sadly took his life. That is one of many tragic stories. The fact is that we have now got the Post Office to accept its wrong…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. That is why some of my first conversations with Nick Read, the current chief executive of the Post Office, have been to ensure that he can…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI am aware that a former chief executive of the Post Office took up a role as a non-executive director at the Cabinet Office until she stood down. I am also aware that the Care…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI totally agree with my hon. Friend. Indeed, as the criminal proceedings continue, those wrongly convicted continue as well, and that will sit along with Justice Fraser’s…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsBecause I do not want an inquiry that will last 13 years, with sub-postmasters coming back time and again with no justice. I have been pushing on this from the moment that I found…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsWith regard to the scale of the issue, I agree with my hon. Friend that this has gone on for so long and has involved so many people who have suffered as a result, some with their…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsAs I have said, the terms of reference of this review are deep enough to get to the bottom of exactly what has happened. The fact that the chairman, who will be appointed, is…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsMy hon. Friend and I spoke about this earlier. As he says, the Post Office decides its own legal advisers. As far as I understand it, the Post Office changed its advisers to…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsThe Government have challenged it over the years, especially in recent years—the Horizon situation has come about over 20 years, but as I have said, recently there have been…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsIt is for that very reason that we have announced an independent review. Of all the judge-led inquiries in the last 30 years, the shortest lasted 45 days —that was one Minister…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI acknowledge the hon. Gentleman’s part not only in campaigning on the plight of the sub-postmasters since coming to this place, but in his previous work representing some of them…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his question. The Horizon IT system was put in place in 1999, with the first issues being raised in the early 2000s, so this was over a…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsI keep hearing that. I keep hearing the words “judge-led inquiry” and then I keep hearing that we need to move this on as quickly as possible. The point is that the terms of…10 Jun 2020HANSARD Horizon: Sub-Postmaster ConvictionsIn terms of the finances, the Government continue to work with the Post Office on its needs and to ensure that, although it is an independent company, it can work within its…10 Jun 2020