§ Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that prisoners convicted and sentenced at Stirling are handcuffed to police officers and transported by the ordinary omnibus service to Barlinnie prison, Glasgow; and whether he will take steps to have such prisoners conveyed in police conveyances?
§ Mr. ElliotI am informed that up to the end of 1936 prisoners sentenced at Stirling to imprisonment were normally conveyed to Barlinnie prison by omnibus and that they were handcuffed to police officers only in cases where this was considered necessary for the safe custody of the prisoner. A van has recently been acquired by the Stirling county police for the conveyance of their prisoners, and negotiations are now in progress for rendering this van available for the conveyance of Stirling burgh police prisoners which would obviate the practice referred to.