Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Yvonne Fovargue and Andrew Selous

Tuesday 8th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Selous]

The hon. Gentleman can tell his prison officers that all violence within prison is a crime. We strive to eradicate it, and it is wholly unacceptable. We take it very, very seriously. As I told the hon. Member for Warrington North (Helen Jones) a moment ago, we appointed 2,250 extra prison officers last year—a net increase of 440—and we will carry on recruiting. Really importantly, we will be testing for new psychoactive substances throughout every prison next month, and that will make a significant difference to the important issues that he raises.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

15. What steps he plans to take to ensure access to justice does not depend on the ability to pay.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Yvonne Fovargue and Andrew Selous

Tuesday 16th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Selous]

As always, I commend my hon. Friend’s persistence on this issue. There are 10,319 foreign national offenders in custody—down from 11,153 in May 2010—and that figure is the lowest for the end of any quarter since March 2006. That is in marked contrast to the Labour Government under whom the number of foreign national offenders doubled.

[Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab)]

The Ofsted inspection of Hindley young offenders institution in my constituency rated it as outstanding, particularly in the provision of literacy and numeracy. Why was it slated for closure?

[Andrew Selous]

We are not closing it; we are re-roling it to put in adult male prisoners. I am sure the hon. Lady welcomes, as I do, the reduction in the number of young people in custody. We must take account of that and will use Hindley young offenders institution for adult male prisoners.