HC Deb 30 July 1936 vol 315 cc1754-5W
Mr. MATHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that escorts to and from England at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, are nearly always confined to a certain first-class warder; and whether he will consider adopting, for reasons of safety, the policy followed in England in single escorts for two officers to be employed?

Sir G. COLLINS

These escorts are not confined to one particular first-class warder. There have in fact been only two such escorts from Barlinnie in the past twelve months. In the normal case the practice of sending one officer has been found to be efficient, safe, and economical, but two officers are always sent in the case of a prisoner known to be troublesome.

Mr. MATHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there are any unqualified officers acting as instructors in trades in the Scottish prisons; if so, will he consider the question of employing officers for this work who are trained in the various trades in which they are called on to give instruction to prisoners; and whether there are facilities for tradesmen becoming engineering officers, as is the case in English prisons, through trades tests by his Department?

Sir G. COLLINS

All officers employed as instructors in Scottish prisons are qualified to teach in their respective trades. As regards engineer officers, no trades tests are held in the Department. Each engineer officer has served an apprenticeship at a trade prior to his enlistment, and each has acted as an instructing officer before being appointed on probation to the engineering staff. The ability and power of instruction, combined with power of supervision, of these officers are thus well tested and known to the Department before appointments are made as engineer warders.

Mr. MATHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the object for which the Prison Officers' Representative Board was formed; and if the Prison Department is carrying out the terms of its constitution?

Sir G. COLLINS

The Prison Officers' Representative Board was constituted to represent prison officers in matters connected with their conditions of service and general welfare, other than questions of discipline. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.