§ 18. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the disquiet in and about Aberdeen caused by recent escapes from Her Majesty's Prisons and of the inconvenience and delay caused to householders and to travellers by stoppage and by search without warrant; and what steps he is taking to minimise this disquiet, inconvenience and delay having regard to public safety.
§ Mr. MaclayI greatly regret the inconvenience caused to members of the 186 public by the action taken after the five escapes made last year from Peterhead Prison. At the prison security measures have recently been further strengthened.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that, extensive as are his powers, he is not providing the peace and security to which law-abiding citizens in the county are entitled? Will he do something to see that they get that peace and security?
§ Mr. MaclayI think the hon. and learned Member knows that recently further steps have been taken to improve the security arrangements at Peterhead Prison. We are always considering how we can make the security arrangements as good as possible.
§ 19. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number and manner of escapes during each of the last ten years of prisoners from Her Majesty'3 Prisons in Scotland, and the length of period during which each of those prisoners remained at large; and how each was dealt with on recapture.
§ Mr. MaclayAs the Answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HughesAgain I put to the Secretary of State the same supplementary question that I put to him when he answered my Question No. 17. Does he realise that many of these escapes are due to the fact that excellent prison governors are set the impossible task of making prisoners do work for which they are unsuited, work which is unproductive and unconstructive, thus forcing the prisoners to escape from prison?
§ Mr. MaclayI do not agree with the implications in the hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question. I appreciate his point. The whole matter of suitable work will be looked into by the Council set up yesterday to advise on the treatment of offenders.
§ Mr. SteeleIs it not still the desire of the Tory Party to set the people free?
§ Mr. HughesWill the Secretary of State take the opportunity of making the forthcoming inquiry—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I called the hon. and learned Member because I thought that he was proposing to give notice that he intended to raise the matter again.
§ Following is the Answer:
| Manner of Escapes | Period at large | How dealt with | |||||||||
| Year | Number of Escapes | From inside the prison | From outside work or outside recreation | From escort between prisons or for medical treatment, etc. | 1 day or less | 2–7 days | Over 7 days | Loss of remission and/or temporary loss of privileges | Sentenced by Court to further period of imprisonment | Notes on Others | |
| 1949 | … | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | |
| 1950 | … | 8 | 3 | 5 | — | 7 | 1 | — | 7 | — | 1 escaper was found to be insane on recapture and was otherwise dealt with. |
| 1951 | … | 6 | 2 | 4 | — | 5 | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1952 | … | 20 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1953 | … | 12 | 9 | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | |
| 1954 | … | 18 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 15 | 3 | |
| 1955 | … | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |
| 1956 | … | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| 1957 | … | 9 | — | 6 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | |
| 1958 | … | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 escaper has been charged but has not yet been dealt with by the Court. |
| Totals | … | 113 | 40 | 53 | 20 | 65 | 30 | 18 | 75 | 36 | 2 |