Aberavon MP, Stephen Kinnock, has held a constructive meeting with the new Minister for Prisons, Rory Stewart MP, just days after his appointment to the role, over the proposals to build a prison in Port Talbot.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Kinnock said, “The meeting with the new Minister was helpful in putting the case to him and outlining why the land in the Baglan Industrial Park is not suitable for a prison. I made it quite clear to the Minister that the prison should not be built in the industrial park, and he was made well aware of the level of strong opposition there is in the community to the Ministry’s proposals.
“The fact that the Minister met with me just 5 working days after his appointment is a clear indication of his willingness to engage with me, and of the importance that he attaches to this issue. In the meeting he seemed open and receptive to the strong case that has been made, but the proof of the pudding is always in the eating, so I look forward to our follow-up meeting and to the Minister recognising that the proposals are just not viable.”