Drones: High-security Prisons

Debate between Nicholas Dakin and Julian Lewis

Tuesday 14th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We inherited a prison estate that was 99.7% full. The police and the courts were in danger of not being able to lock people up. That was an abrogation of duty by the Conservative party. We have rolled up our sleeves and tackled that, and we will tackle this problem as well.

[Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con)]

I thank the Minister for a very positive recent meeting on an unrelated subject. Is the main problem here the detection of the incoming drones, or the ability to impede the deliveries once they have been detected?

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the positive meeting I had recently with him, officials and the local business. The answer to his question is that both those things are issues.