Dr Evan Harris MP takes campaign against Mill St Probation Centre to Parliament

7.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 29th Apr 2009

Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon today put pressure on Justice Minister David Hanson MP over the proposed Probation Centre at Trajan House in Mill Street, Oxford.

During a Westminster Hall debate, Dr Harris demanded that the Probation service stop their plans to sign the lease on Trajan House, and that they look at other venues. He also called for the Minister to meet local councillors and residents before any irreversible steps were taken, which the Minister agreed to.

After the debate, Dr Harris said:

"I have major concerns about the appropriateness of the Mill Street site as a consolidated probation centre for Oxfordshire offenders, located as it is in a residential area. I also have concerns about the process by which the site was chosen."

"The more I found about the process that has been undertaken in the choosing of the Trajan House site, the more worried I get that due process has not taken place, and the more certain I am that more appropriate premises can be found which would meet the Probation Service's needs, as well as the needs of Oxford residents".

"I am pleased that the Minister has agreed to a meeting, perhaps as early as next week, and I will take local councillors and representatives of local residents to that meeting."