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MPs vote for prisons strike ban MPs vote for prisons strike ban
(about 1 hour later)
A move to reintroduce a ban on strikes by prison officers has been voted through by MPs in the House of Commons.A move to reintroduce a ban on strikes by prison officers has been voted through by MPs in the House of Commons.
The government said it was "reluctantly compelled" to seek the powers following a walkout by 20,000 prison officers.The government said it was "reluctantly compelled" to seek the powers following a walkout by 20,000 prison officers.
But the plan came under fire from a number of MPs. Tory Mike Penning said allowing 58 minutes to debate the plans was an "insult to prison officers".But the plan came under fire from a number of MPs. Tory Mike Penning said allowing 58 minutes to debate the plans was an "insult to prison officers".
Despite the concerns MPs voted by 481 to 46 for the measure, brought in as an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill.Despite the concerns MPs voted by 481 to 46 for the measure, brought in as an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill.
Some 35 MPs rebelled against the government, among them former Europe minister Keith Vaz.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw introduced the amendment to allow the government to reintroduce powers to ban strikes by prison officers - if a satisfactory voluntary agreement could not be reached.Justice Secretary Jack Straw introduced the amendment to allow the government to reintroduce powers to ban strikes by prison officers - if a satisfactory voluntary agreement could not be reached.
'U-turn''U-turn'
He said it was necessary for public safety, and prisoners' welfare, that prison officers did not strike.He said it was necessary for public safety, and prisoners' welfare, that prison officers did not strike.
He has been accused of a "humiliating U-turn" by the Conservatives, who say in opposition Labour opposed a previous ban introduced in 1994 - and courted prison officers' votes by promising to repeal it.He has been accused of a "humiliating U-turn" by the Conservatives, who say in opposition Labour opposed a previous ban introduced in 1994 - and courted prison officers' votes by promising to repeal it.
In government Labour eventually repealed the law in 2005, replacing it with a voluntary agreement with the POA.In government Labour eventually repealed the law in 2005, replacing it with a voluntary agreement with the POA.
Mr Straw said some professions could not be allowed to strikeMr Straw said some professions could not be allowed to strike
But last year the POA, angry at a decision to pay prison officers' pay rises in two stages, gave notice they were pulling out of the agreement and staged a surprise walkout across England and Wales. But last year the POA, angry at a decision to pay prison officers' pay rises in two stages, gave notice it was pulling out of the agreement and staged a surprise walkout across England and Wales.
Mr Straw said the POA had been aware when they signed up to a voluntary agreement that, if it failed, a ban on strikes would come into force. Mr Straw said the POA had been aware when it signed up to a voluntary agreement that, if it failed, a ban on strikes would come into force.
But several MPs were concerned that Mr Straw's announcement on Monday, that he would seek powers to re-introduce a ban, had been made while negotiations continued with the POA over their dispute.But several MPs were concerned that Mr Straw's announcement on Monday, that he would seek powers to re-introduce a ban, had been made while negotiations continued with the POA over their dispute.
Labour MP Neil Gerrard said the POA saw it as "holding a gun to their heads" and Labour MP John McDonnell questioned whether it had been a "wise decision" to bring it forward now, as it would "build upon distrust" within the union.Labour MP Neil Gerrard said the POA saw it as "holding a gun to their heads" and Labour MP John McDonnell questioned whether it had been a "wise decision" to bring it forward now, as it would "build upon distrust" within the union.
'Most unfortunate''Most unfortunate'
Another Labour MP, David Winnick, said he could not support the current wording of the plans, as they could be used by "another government" to ban strikes by other emergency workers.Another Labour MP, David Winnick, said he could not support the current wording of the plans, as they could be used by "another government" to ban strikes by other emergency workers.
Lib Dem justice spokesman David Heath said the timing was "most unfortunate" when a report from Acas's Ed Sweeney, who has chaired talks between the Prison Service and the POA, had only been just been published.Lib Dem justice spokesman David Heath said the timing was "most unfortunate" when a report from Acas's Ed Sweeney, who has chaired talks between the Prison Service and the POA, had only been just been published.
These are matters of life and liberty and we are being asked to pass them on the nod David HeathLib DemsThese are matters of life and liberty and we are being asked to pass them on the nod David HeathLib Dems
Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd said it was "precipitous action which is unlikely to assist matters".Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd said it was "precipitous action which is unlikely to assist matters".
Mr Straw said he would look again at the wording to address MPs' concerns - but said the announcement would not have taken the POA by surprise, as they knew a ban would be reinstated if the voluntary agreement failed. Mr Straw said he would look again at the wording to address MPs' concerns - but said the announcement would not have taken the POA by surprise, as it had known a ban would be reinstated if the voluntary agreement failed.
But he came under fire from Conservative justice spokesman Nick Herbert who said he was glad Mr Straw had been converted to "Thatcherite legislation" - he said the Tories would back the amendment, as they had introduced the original ban. But he came under fire from Conservative justice spokesman Nick Herbert who said he was glad Mr Straw had been converted to "Thatcherite legislation". He said the Tories would back the amendment, as they had introduced the original ban.
'Railroading' claim'Railroading' claim
Others also queued up to attack the government for "railroading" through other amendments - such as changes to the law on self defence - which are due to be debated in the Commons later. Others also queued up to attack the government for "railroading" through other amendments - such as changes to the law on self-defence - which are due to be debated in the Commons later.
For the Lib Dems, Mr Heath said: "These are matters of life and liberty and we are being asked to pass them on the nod because of a time-table exercise by, apparently, the whips against the interest of the department." For the Lib Dems, Mr Heath said: "These are matters of life and liberty and we are being asked to pass them on the nod because of a timetable exercise by, apparently, the whips against the interest of the department."
Justice minister David Hanson acknowledged the opposition to the timetable but said Chief Whip Geoff Hoon had secured extra time beyond the normal sitting hours to debate the Bill on Wednesday. Justice minister David Hanson acknowledged the opposition to the timetable but said Chief Whip Geoff Hoon had secured extra time beyond the normal sitting hours to debate the bill on Wednesday.