Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discounts are offered to tenants of prison department properties in Scotland when these are offered for sale.
Mr. AncramOfficial quarters are occupied by the staff of the Scottish prison service free of charge by virtue of their employment and not as tenants. Where quarters are offered for sale to the staff occupying them the discounts are the same as those available to other public sector tenants under the Tenants' Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Act 1980. They range from a minimum of 33 per cent. after three years with an additional 1 per cent. off the market value of the property for every year beyond the three years' qualifying period up to a maximum of 50 per cent. after 20 years. In no case, however, may the price be reduced to below the cost incurred by the Exchequer in providing the quarter, including the cost of land and site development works and any administrative costs.