§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last made an appointment to a prison visiting committee.
§ Mr. Harry EwingAppointments to prison visiting committees require to be made by the Secretary of State only when the prescribed number of women members to be appointed by local authorities under the Prison (Scotland) Rules 1952 is not reached. The last appointment was made in 1974.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of prison visiting committees.
§ Mr. Harry EwingVisiting committees will continue to be required for prisons in Scotland and there are no plans for changing their present role.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prison visiting committees are in existence in Scotland; how many members serve on each of them; and how many vacancies exist on the membership of each.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThere are nine prison visiting committees in Scotland. These are at the following establishments: the membership of each committee should be as indicated.
Aberdeen 12 members Barlinnie 39 members Dumfries 11 members Edinburgh 24 members Greenock 37 members Inverness 14 members Penninghame 14 members Perth 20 members Peterhead 13 members Known vacancies exist at Aberdeen (1), Edinburgh (1), and Dumfries (4).