Debates between Wendy Morton and Edward Argar during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Wendy Morton and Edward Argar
Tuesday 21st November 2023

(1 year, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Edward Argar Portrait The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Edward Argar)
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The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight this, as every death in custody is a tragedy. We continue to do all we can to improve the safety of prisoners, both in that respect and in respect of reducing instances of self-harm. We are continuing to deliver on our safety commitment outlined in the prisons strategy White Paper, including by introducing more ligature-resistant cells, funding a study to understand the extent of deaths, and rolling out an emotional resilience and peer-support programme in six prisons. Of course, our staff are vital to this, and I take the opportunity to pay tribute to them; we are investing to support them to continue to do that work.

Wendy Morton Portrait Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con)
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In the summer, the Government made a welcome announcement on banning zombie knives and machetes and doubling the sentences for supplying a knife to an under-18 and for possessing a knife with intent to cause harm. Now we are in a new Session, will the Secretary of State set out the timeline for bringing forward legislation to make this happen?