§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he intends to take to improve conditions for the governor, staff and inmates of Peterhead prison.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe main priority at Peterhead is to maintain peace and good order at the establishment in the interests of all staff and inmates. Appropriate and necessary measures to restrict opportunities for attempted disruption and violence have been taken and will be kept under review.
The reduced occupancy of Peterhead and the use of E hall, Shotts prison, continue for the time being, but I hope that additional accommodation will become available for use at Peterhead by the end of the year.
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§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what forces were involved in ending the Peterhead prison siege; and whether such forces will he used in ending any future prison disturbances.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe operational responsibility for dealing with criminal offences, including offences committed in penal establishments, rests with the chief constable concerned. For operational reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose the circumstances in which particular siege incidents are ended, or to speculate on what might be done in future.