§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places have been designated in terms of section 5 of the Criminal Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act 1980; and if he plans to increase the numbers of places designated.
§ Mr. John MacKayAt present one establishment, Albyn house, Aberdeen, is designated by my right hon. and learned Friend under section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 as suitable for the care of drunken persons. A second establishment, Annan house, Dundee, is due to be opened by the Church of Scotland later this year, although formal designation has not yet been completed. I understand that proposals are also being devised for designated places in Inverness and at various locations in Strathclyde.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what savings have been made by diverting habitual drink offenders from the criminal justice system by the establishment of the designated place Albyn house, Aberdeen; and what were the specific savings made for (a) the police, (b) the courts and (c) Her Majesty's prisons for 1984 and 1985, arising therefrom.
§ Mr. John MacKayIt is not feasible to quantify the benefits of Albyn house on the line suggested. However, the facility has undoubtedly released police manpower in the Aberdeen area for other duties and diverted cases from the courts and prisons. But the principal benefit of this use of the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (under which Albyn house is designated) is that for the offenders concerned this provides a much more constructive approach to the problems of habitual drunkenness.