Business of the House

Philip Davies Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, and it is simply not reasonable for companies not to offer the service that is being paid for. I know that he will use the next session of questions to the DCMS to raise that matter, and he might also find an opportunity to discuss it during the Budget debate over the next few days because it also has an impact on business.

[Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con)]

May we have a debate on open prisons? On 3 February the then prisons Minister wrote in a written answer to me:

“Prisoners may no longer be transferred to open conditions or allowed out on temporary release if they have previously absconded,”

Imagine my surprise to read about Ross Underwood, who on May 24 absconded from HMP Springhill. The court heard that Underwood had a previous conviction for absconding from the same prison in 2009. May we have a debate to clear up the shambles relating to open prisons once and for all?

[Chris Grayling]

My hon. Friend knows that I took great interest in that area in my previous role as Justice Secretary. I do not believe it is acceptable for people who have previously absconded to be allowed back into open conditions, and I changed the rules to ensure that such things should not normally happen. He will undoubtedly raise the issue with my right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary, who I am sure shares my view on that.