§ Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the strength of the prison service in Scotland; and how far this falls below the present authorised establishment.
§ Mr. RossThe number of full-time staff in the Scottish prison service on 1st January, 1967, was 1,432. On the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on 18th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 83.]
§ Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve recruitment to the prison service in Scotland.
§ Mr. RossSince an intensive recruitment campaign was carried out last autumn the number of prison officers has increased by 90. In 1966 the minimum height for recruits was reduced by one inch to 5 ft. 7 in. and recruiting literature was distributed to employment exchanges. Newspaper advertisements will be inserted more frequently in coming months and a short television film is in preparation.
§ Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hours overtime were worked by prison officers in Scotland during the latest convenient 12-month period.