§ Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can quote the prison rule under which officers at Perth prison village had to remove from houses marked for demolition without incurring expense to the State owing to removals made for the convenience of the prisons department; and will he ascertain whether an outside contractor was employed by any of the officers concerned?
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§ Sir G. COLLINSThe rules now governing payment of removal expenses are set out in the Civil Service Removal Expenses Report, which was applied to the Scottish Prisons Service as from 6th September, 1934. Prior to that date, when the Perth removals took place, the matter was governed by special departmental rules. In neither case is payment provided for in respect of changes of quarters at the same prison, such as occurred at Perth, removal expenses being payable only in event of transfer from one prison to another. In the circumstances it does not appear that any useful purpose would be served by inquiry as suggested in the last part of the question; but I am prepared to consider any representations which may be submitted to me through the usual channels. I may add that the demolition of quarters occasioning the Perth removals was undertaken in order that improved quarters might be provided.