§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the result of the petition to him by the Prison Officers' Representative Board for an improvement in their scales of pay?
§ Mr. ElliotI am informed that no petition on the subject has yet been submitted to the Department.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action was taken by the Prisons Department regarding petitions from Group 11 B at Barlinnie Prison, through their representative on the Representative Board, on behalf of the subordinate staff?
§ Mr. ElliotI am not aware on the information available of the nature of the petitions referred to. Petitions on local matters may be made to the Governor by the representative officer of the Prison222W Officers' Representative Board and thereafter, if necessary, through the Governor to the Prisons Department; and it does not appear that any such petition from Barlinnie Prison has recently reached the Prisons Department.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many officers have resigned from the Prison Officers Representative Board during the past six months; and what were the reasons for the resignations?
§ Mr. ElliotOne resignation has been intimated to the Department during the period in question. I am not aware of the reason for this resignation.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the operations may commence for the building of new quarters for the Barlinnie staff; and whether immediate steps will be taken to improve the supplies of drinking water?
§ Mr. ElliotIt is hoped that the building operations will begin in January, 1938. It is not proposed to alter the existing arrangements for the supply of water to the houses which are to be replaced by the new buildings.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the number of discipline officers in the Scottish prison service who have been promoted to Class 1 during the past six years; and the corresponding figures for Barlinnie Prison during the same period?
§ Mr. ElliotThe numbers are 25 and 2 respectively.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that notices relating to meetings of the Prison Officers' Representative Board at Barlinnie Prison are being forbidden to be exhibited for the information of the staff; and will he arrange for this facility being given?
§ Mr. ElliotProvision is made in the constitution of the Scottish Prison Officers' Representative Board for the exhibition of notices with the Governor's sanction (which shall not be unreasonably withheld). My information is that this provision is duly observed at Barlinnie Prison.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of. State for Scotland whether he is aware. 223W that, with a male staff of over 100 at Barlinnie Prison, there is only one water-closet for their use; and will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. ElliotThe number of male officers on duty at any one time normally ranges from 70 to 80. The existing provision of sanitary conveniences for these officers is being increased.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that there is a shortage of trained personnel at Barlinnie prison; that the staff are unable to have their leave when it falls due; and will he see that this is remedied?
§ Mr. ElliotIt does not appear, on inquiry, that there is any ground for the statements in the first and second parts of the question. The third part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the percentage number of prison officers who attended the duly-convened meetings of the Prison Officers Representative Board at Barlinnie and Edinburgh prisons, and Polmont institution, respectively?
§ Mr. ElliotReports of attendances at such meetings are not made to the Department. The information asked for is not therefore available.
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that nine weeks are required for the train-
Year Admissions (excluding transfers). Number of persons admitted (excluding transfers) who, on admission were Male. Female. Total. Under 50 years of age. 50 years and under 60 years of age 60 years and under 70 years of age Over 70 years of age. M. F. T. M. F. T. M. F. T M. F. T. 1930 1,498 1,576 3,074 925 897 1,822 227 287 514 212 206 418 134 186 320 1931 1,458 1,522 2,980 851 880 1,731 276 271 547 206 208 414 125 163 288 1932 1,345 1,454 2,799 832 862 1,694 209 256 465 195 180 375 109 156 265 1933 1,431 1,449 2,880 870 843 1,713 230 269 499 197 185 382 134 152 286 1934 1,334 1,360 2,694 835 792 1,627 223 243 466 168 177 345 108 148 256 1935 1,334 1,388 2,722 805 763 1,568 234 253 487 160 201 361 135 171 306 1936 1,232 1,330 2,562 727 730 1,457 187 216 403 177 180 357 141 204 345