§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from the Prison Officers' Association regarding irregularities allegedly occurring at the special unit at 280W Barlinnie prison; and what steps he proposes to take in the light of the decision of the Prison Officers' Association at Barlinnie to set up its own inquiry into the circumstances;
(2) if he will set up an external, independent inquiry into the operation of the special unit in Barlinnie prison in the light of the renewed allegations of serious irregularities and which, if not authoritatively exposed as without foundation, will undemine public confidence in the prison service and in the valuable work being done by the special unit.
§ Mr. RifkindA statement was received on 24 July from the Barlinnie local branch of the Scottish Prison Officers' Association informaing the Department that it was discontinuing its investigation and proposing a departmental investigation of allegations made to it. This statement is at present under consideration.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to set up facilities in other Scottish prisons based on the model of the special unit at Barlinnie prison.
§ Mr. RifkindThe hon. Member will be aware that much that has been learnt from the special unit has been applied on an extended scale to long-term prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Dungavel, near Strathaven. Relatively few prisoners, however, are judged likely to be of a type for which the special regime was established in the special unit, and there are no present proposals to set up similar units elsewhere as these would impose unusually heavy demands in terms of prison staffing.