Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Swire and Stephen Hepburn

Wednesday 15th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Swire]

I do not think it would be very responsible of me to comment on that, save to say that we work extremely closely with the Garda, they work extremely closely with the PSNI and I have complete faith that they would be able to see that a visit of that sort went off without any trouble whatsoever.

[Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab)]

5. What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on future provision of prisons in Northern Ireland.

[The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Hugo Swire)]

The provision of prisons is now entirely a matter for the devolved Administration. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State’s statement to the House of 4 November outlined the discussions he has had with Justice Minister David Ford on the recommendations in the Billy Wright inquiry report.

[Mr Hepburn]

Will the Government’s spending decisions have any impact on potential new capital projects such as Magilligan prison and the new police training college?

[Mr Swire]

The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. As we have said before in the House, we are committed to standing by the terms of the policing and justice financial settlement, which will enable the Executive to come to their own view about new capital expenditure, including on Magilligan prison, and we are closer to that with the announcement of the draft budget today, in respect of which we are very grateful to all the parties.