Business of the House

Stella Creasy Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will certainly draw the hon. Lady’s remarks and concerns to the attention of the relevant Minister and make sure she gets a response.

[Ms Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op)]

I join others in wishing you, Mr Speaker, and the staff of the House a happy Christmas, and also wish a happy fifth night of Hanukkah to all those who are celebrating. May I also thank the shadow Deputy Leader of the House for reminding me of my favourite version of that Dickens classic, “The Muppet Christmas Carol”?

Qesser Zuhrah is currently undertaking a hunger strike. Understandably, her next of kin, who are my constituents, are very worried about her welfare and desperate for information about her current condition. As her MP, I have sought that information, because I believe that, whatever one may think of what someone who is incarcerated has done, welfare information is a reasonable thing for the next of kin to require. Will the Leader of the House give some advice and support on how we can improve the channels of communication with the Ministry of Justice in these circumstances, especially at this time of year and given some of the reporting of this issue, so that the next of kin can get accurate information? Will he also say whether we can have a debate on how we can support families in those situations?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The welfare of prisoners and their families is of paramount importance to the Government. We continue to assess prisoners’ wellbeing and will always take the appropriate action when necessary. The Deputy Prime Minister has responded—in fact, in this House—and will continue to respond when appropriate, including through correspondence on these matters. As my hon. Friend points out, it is important that Members, on behalf of their constituents, are able to get the information that they require, and I will draw her comments to the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister.