§ 40. Mr. HAYESasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that, although prison staffs should be allowed alternate Sundays off duty, in some prisons the staffs are on duty 12½ days without a rest day; and whether he will take steps to deal with this situation?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDThe hours of duty for prison warders are 96 per fortnight. The rest days are arranged to suit local conditions. Generally, warders have alternate Sundays off, and are not on duty 12½ days consecutively. Conditions that can be applied in the larger prisons cannot, however, be applied in the smaller prisons, where the hours of duty have to be differently arranged, though always within the limit of 96 hours per fortnight.
§ Mr. HAYESIf I submit a scheme to the hon. Gentleman whereby arrangements can be made for them to have alternate Sundays off will he consider such a proposal?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDNo doubt my hon. Friend is aware remuneration and other conditions of service of prison officers in England and Scotland are at present being considered by a Committee.