Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Rotheram Excerpts

Tuesday 18th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

12. What recent assessment he has made of security arrangements in courtrooms.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mrs Helen Grant)]

The security of our courtrooms and courts is a serious matter. Regular assessments take place at least once a year and they are monitored at cluster, regional and national level to aid in the continual review of security.

[Steve Rotheram]

A suspect who had been released on bail entered Liverpool Crown court with a knife he had smuggled through security checks and threatened to kill himself in the dock. Tragedy was averted on that occasion, but will the Minister outline what steps she is taking to instruct security staff to be extra vigilant during their searches of suspects on bail?

[Mrs Grant]

We are aware of that serious incident and I assure the hon. Gentleman that a full review of security has taken place at Liverpool Crown court. An action plan for improvement has been put together and good progress is being made. Training in search procedures for all G4S staff was provided last summer and its effectiveness is being monitored. Security arrangements are now operating to a required standard, but remain under careful review.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, I call Steve Rotheram.

[Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)]

After a lengthy campaign, tomorrow the High Court will hear the application from the Attorney-General to quash the original verdicts into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans at Hillsborough in 1989—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman must resume his seat. My strong sense—I do not have advance briefing on the detail of the matter—is that the issue that he is raising could well be sub judice.

[Steve Rotheram]

indicated dissent.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It is not a matter to be raised now, so we will leave it there. I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Gentleman.

[Steve Rotheram]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. That is the end of it. We must now move on.