Fujitsu: Post Office Horizon Case
Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom
Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom
To ask His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to Fujitsu regarding making an interim payment towards the costs of investigation and redress in the Post Office Horizon case.
Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Leong) (Lab)
My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Lord and to my noble friend Lord Beamish, whose unwavering determination, moral courage and steadfast advocacy over these years have ensured that the voices of Horizon victims were heard, believed and ultimately vindicated.
Fujitsu has acknowledged its moral responsibility and has indicated its intention to make a financial contribution. The figure will be set once the Williams inquiry publishes the final volume of its report. We have made it clear to Fujitsu that an interim payment would be a valuable demonstration of intent. However, whether to make such payment and the level of any contribution remains a decision for the company.
Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Con)
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Given that Fujitsu knew from the beginning that its system was faulty; that it knew that it was altering remotely sub-postmasters’ accounts without the knowledge of the sub-postmasters; that it knew that the Government and the Post Office were denying that these things could happen while prosecuting the sub-postmasters, how can Fujitsu possibly be a fit and proper organisation to do business with anyone in this country, let alone the Government? Or are we over a barrel?
Lord Leong (Lab)
My Lords, the anger shown by the noble Lord, which I share, is completely understandable, considering the serious injustice experienced by so many sub-postmasters. These are exactly the issues that the independent inquiry is examining in detail. Fujitsu has acknowledged a moral obligation to contribute to the costs of redress, and the Government have made it absolutely clear that it should do so. Decisions regarding its future role as a government supplier will be made carefully, based on the full findings of the inquiry.