§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Prison Officers' Representative Board has made complaints that the boot repair allowance of 6s. per annum was inadequate; and whether, in making inquiries as to the repair costs, the board was consulted
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative. The amount of the allowance referred to was fixed in 1931 after careful investigation and in consultation with prison governors, and has been the subject of discussion with the Prison Officers' Representative Board on several occasions; and on the information available it does not appear to be inadequate.
§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of temporary officers employed in the Scottish prisons, the number in the Borstal institution at Polmont, and in the criminal lunatic department at Perth; if the temporary officers so employed receive the extra 3s. weekly granted on the recommendation of the Stanhope Committee to permanent officers; if the records of the candidates for temporary work undergo the same strict scrutiny, as those of candidates for established posts, or if the labour exchange recommendation is accepted; and if the Department are prepared to establish the temporary officers who have served satisfactorily over a period of years?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThere are 21 temporary officers in the Scottish Prison Service, 1095W of whom four are employed at Polmont Institution and four in the Criminal Lunatic Department, Perth. These officers are not eligible for special allowances payable to permanent officers. Different conditions apply to permanent and temporary appointment; and in accordance with the general practice in the case of temporary appointments as warder, attendant, messenger and in similar capacities, temporary prisons officers are engaged through the machinery of the Ministry of Labour and the National Association for Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen. Applications from temporary officers who are eligible in terms of the regulations and otherwise suitable for establishment are favourably considered.