Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make it her policy to ensure that orders made under section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998 on postal affairs are expedited.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We are not currently aware of any section 104 orders which would be needed to overturn convictions in Scotland.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her planned timetable is to introduce legislation to exonerate sub-postmasters impacted by the Horizon IT System.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 13 March. With the will of both Houses of Parliament, the Government’s intention is that the Bill receives Royal Assent as soon as possible before Summer Recess. Convictions in scope will be quashed on Royal Assent.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people who worked in the investigation unit of the Post Office during the period in which Horizon prosecutions took place were still employed by the Post Office as of 20 February 2024.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
This is a HR matter for Post Office Ltd as the Department does not hold this information.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with the Board of the Post Office Ltd on what the total value was of funds wrongly claimed back from sub postmasters using Horizon software.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I hold meetings with the Post Office CEO on a monthly basis where we discuss the topic of Horizon compensation delivery.
Postmasters who paid shortfalls which were recorded in Horizon to the Post Office are paid those amounts back in their compensation claims, as well as any other financial and personal damage which they have suffered as a consequence of the IT system.
Government has made funding available for both the Horizon Shortfall Scheme and for Overturned Convictions compensation. Post Office has published its provisions for both in its annual accounts and Government has published the level of funding available on the Subsidy Transparency Database.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of the UK's withdrawal from the EU on recruitment in the construction sector.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
As Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, our Skills Plan has enabled the construction sector to compete and attract new recruits. In fact, the number of apprenticeships increased to over 32,000 last year. The Government has also ensured the sector has the flexibility to recruit workers from overseas to supply demand.
Apprenticeships and traineeships are a matter for the Department for Education.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department has made an assessment of the impact of malaria and other global health issues on the UK’s overseas trade with countries disproportionately affected by malaria and tropical diseases, including trade with Commonwealth countries.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is an economic growth department that will support British businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and prosperity across the UK; such health assessments fall outside its remit.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) malaria and (b) other global health issues on recent levels of trade by UK businesses with (i) countries in the Commonwealth and (ii) other countries with a high level of malaria.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is an economic growth department that will support British businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and prosperity across the UK; such health assessments fall outside its remit.
Asked by: Marion Fellows (Scottish National Party - Motherwell and Wishaw)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with Post Office Limited on the future strategy of its Drop and Collect service.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Government has robust mechanisms in place to maintain oversight of Post Office Limited and regularly engages with the company on various live issues, including Post Office Limited’s approach to Drop and Collect. For example, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State attends monthly meetings with Post Office Limited’s CEO and officials attend quarterly shareholder meetings between the Department and Post Office Limited.