§ MR. WATT (Glasgow College)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what was the vacant cell accommodation in Perth Prison on the twenty occasions between 4th September and 10th October, when Barlinnie Prison was overcrowded; what was the average number of sick prisoners in the hospital ward of the latter prison on these dates; whether the regulations state that whenever any prison is overcrowded the governor must arrange for an instant transference of prisoners; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take.
§ MR. SINCLAIRThe Answer is, to the first part of the Question: The vacant cell accommodation at Perth varied on the twenty occasions referred to from 210 to 310. To the second: The number of sick persons in the hospital ward averaged 9.3. To the third the instruction is as follows:—" Timely notice should be sent by governors to Commissioners of any likelihood of the cell accommodation being inadequate owing to temporary increase in the number of prisoners." And to the fourth: The erection of an enlarged prison for the Greenock district which has already been authorised will relieve the pressure upon Barlinnie.