§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring systems he has initiated, in pursuance of his commitment to providing equality of opportunity for all employees in, and potential recruits to, the Ministry of Defence to comply with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission,
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§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 June 1988]: There is no evidence of widespread or systematic abuse against inmates of ethnic origin. Prison staff are particularly vigilant in detection of abuse against all inmates, including ethnic minorities. All instances of inmate assault, for whatever reason, are fully investigated, including police involvement where sufficient evidence exists to bring charges against the suspected perpetrators.
From 1 January to 1 May 1988 only 13 people were held in detention in Scottish prisons, at any one time, under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971. Such a small number does not justify the provision of special accommodation. However, I have asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons to advise me on what improvements, if any, might be made to the arrangements for accommodating such detainees.