HC Deb 23 February 1977 vol 926 cc1399-400
11. Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in the last five years prisoners in Scotland have escaped from custody while being transported between prison and the courts.

Mr. Harry Ewing

On five occasions.

Mr. Johnston

Does the Minister agree that there has been widespread concern throughout the United Kingdom following the escape of William Hughes in Leicester and the horrible events that followed, and that if the Home Secretary had been asked about prisoner transportation security immediately before that happened he would probably have said that he was satisfied? Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House that in Scotland, as in England, the matter is being looked at again very carefully?

Mr. Ewing

Yes, Sir. I can tell the House with some assurance that since the Hughes escape we have had a look at the procedures for the transport of prisoners between establishments and courts and are satisfied that they are adequate. But we are interested to see the outcome of the Hughes inquiry, and if there are any aspects of that inquiry that we feel could be implemented in Scotland to increase security we shall take steps to implement them. We regard it as a very serious matter, and we have a close watch on it.

Mr. Robin F. Cook

As most prisoners on their way to and from the courts in Scotland are normally held in reception boxes in Scottish prisons, will my hon. Friend take this opportunity of answering Question No. 23, in my name?

Mr. Ewing

In a sense that would be unfair, but I can say that there have been major improvements to those reception boxes.

Mr. Fairbairn

When the Minister is considering this very important problem, in view of the excellent record that Scotland has in comparison with England, will he—not to make any nationalist point—advise the English that we have a rather good way of getting our prisoners to court and back again in custody, and that to transport them in individual taxis as is done in England asks for the problems which have tragically arisen?

Mr. Ewing

There is close liaison between the Home Office and the Scottish Office on all aspects of security. I am sure that the Home Office will be interested to see how we conduct our procedures in Scotland.