§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present strength of the prison service in Scotland; and how it compares with a year ago.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellAt 1st May, 2, 141 full-time staff were in post. This compares with 2,138 at the corresponding date last year.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the agreed proportion of staff to prisoners in Scotland's gaols; and to what extent staffing targets are achieved.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThere is no agreed proportion of staff to prisoners: the staff complement for each establish-188W ment is settled according to the needs of the local situation. The total number of staff now in post exceeds the aggregate of the individual staff complements, but the aim is to increase the number against the opening of new establishments over the next few years.