Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Tuesday 6th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Rory Stewart]

That is a very interesting idea. Perhaps the hon. Lady and I can sit down to discuss that interesting idea in more detail.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

6. What progress his Department has made on recruiting 2,500 new prison officers.

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

14. What progress his Department has made on recruiting 2,500 new prison officers.

--- Later in debate ---

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

Skilled professional prison officers are absolutely heart and centre of running good prisons. That is why we have committed to recruiting 2,500 extra prison officers. I am pleased to say that we are now nine months ahead of target on delivering those prison officers.

[Andrew Bridgen]

I of course welcome the fact that the Government are making progress in recruiting extra prison officers, but will the Minister reassure the House that he is making every effort to retain the services of experienced and long-serving officers who are absolutely essential for mentoring new recruits into the service?

[Rory Stewart]

Absolutely. As my hon. Friend points out, this is not just about numbers. Working in a prison is incredibly challenging, and having the experience and the prison craft to do it is vital, so we are putting incentive schemes in place to try to retain our most experienced staff and to understand, when they do leave, why they are doing so.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Gauke]

I believe that the processes have been set up, that the inquiry led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick is the right approach and that the focus should be on ensuring that the inquiry can make progress rather than trying in any way to undermine it.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

T2. Family law has been in need of reform for far too long. We now have a situation where the judiciary is supporting early intervention and wishing to carry out a pilot scheme. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how to make this excellent solution a reality?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Lucy Frazer)]

I am very aware of the importance of looking at family law, in the context of the fact that relationship breakdown leads to unwelcome life chances for the children of that relationship. I am happy to meet my hon. Friend, who should know that I have already met the president of the family division and the chief executive of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, and to discuss this issue.