MP puts PM on spot over foreign prisoners
FIVE months after city MP Stewart Jackson asked the Government how many foreign nationals were released from Peterborough prison, he is still waiting for an answer.
FIVE months after city MP Stewart Jackson asked the Government how many foreign nationals were released from Peterborough prison, he is still waiting for an answer.
Yesterday, in a heated exchange in Parliament, Mr Jackson accused Tony Blair of arrogance, and showing "disdain" towards the people of the city.
"I asked the Home Office the question five months ago. And five months afterwards I have yet to receive a satisfactory answer. Why is it impossible to get a straight answer from this government?" he asked Tony Blair during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs).
Mr Blair was unable to give him an answer and replied that he did not have the figures to hand.
Mr Jackson is now demanding action from the Government.
Speaking after PMQs, Mr Jackson said: "I did not get an answer from the Prime Minister. All he said was that the Government was now collating the number of foreign prisoners in our jails. That's fine, but that's not what I asked.
"I asked how many foreign prisoners were released from Peterborough prison in the 12 months to March 31 this year.
And five months later I have not received an answer to that question."
Mr Jackson voiced his concerns in April after it was revealed that police and immigration officials had lost track of more than 1,000 foreign nationals who had been released from prisons across the country, despite court recommendations that they should be deported.
He added: "I put it to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the message seems to be that they do not intend to give us an answer.
"It shows up the shambles of the immigration and prison system. What more can we do? I have brought it to the attention of the speaker, the Home Secretary and now the Prime Minister.
"It is an important issue,and something that causes concern. Prisoners who have been released from prison in Peterborough should not be back in the community. They should be deported.
"The whole point of being a MP of a constituency is asking awkward questions that the Government should answer.
"We've been told it would cost too much, but all the Government has to do is talk to the governor of the prison and ask how many prisoners who are foreign nationals have been released in this period. It shows the arrogance and disdain they have for the people of Peterborough."
Peterborough City Council leader John Peach has written to Home Secretaries, Charles Clarke and John Reid, asking the same question.
He was told that accessing such information would exceed a 600 million limit on handling Freedom of Information queries.
Article by: Jonny Muir, email:
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Saturday 20 March 2010
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