PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
McColl's: Horizon IT System (28 August 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many sub-postmasters employed directly by McColls stores are known to have been removed from their employment as managers of branch sub Post Offices in McColls stores on grounds of alleged shortfalls in their Post Office Horizon branch accounts since 2000.

Asked by:
Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative)

The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK.

While the Government sets?the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. As such, the number of postmasters employed by McColls and who were subsequently removed as managers on grounds of alleged Horizon shortfalls are an?operational matter for?Post Office Limited.

?I have asked Nick Read, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon. Member about this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.??

Answered by:
Paul Scully (Conservative)
8 September 2020