Oral Answers to Questions

Alex Sobel Excerpts

Tuesday 5th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Rory Stewart)]

We often pay tribute to the Scottish Government, but I am proud to say that we are ahead of them on this. We have rolled out body-worn cameras, which are making an enormous difference to safety in prisons. We are also ahead of the Scottish Government in having fully smoke-free prisons. There is something, at least, that Scotland can learn from us.

[Alex Sobel (Leeds North West) (Lab/Co-op)]

T3. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is unconscionable that the workers who clean his offices and the security guards who keep the Ministry of Justice safe are not paid the living wage? Will he commit today to finally paying them a wage they can decently live on, with terms and conditions that mean they can take a family holiday?

[Mr Gauke]

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the cleaners and security guards are employed by private contractors, and that is a matter for them.