§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prison officers at Peterhead prison have made applications to purchase their present homes; how many have been fully processed and the purchase completed; what period will be required to complete the total applications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramSixty two applications were received from prison officers at Peterhead indicating an interest in purchasing the quarters which they occupied. Seventeen of the applications were withdrawn when the purchasing price was made known. Two of the applicants were not eligible as they had not been in occupancy for the qualifying period. Of the remaining 43, 24 sale transactions have been fully completed. Thirteen further formal offers to sell have been issued and await a reply from the applicants or their agents. The period of time required to complete these cases is a matter for the applicants concerned.
Three more formal offers to sell will be issued within a fortnight when the period of time involved will become a matter for the applicant. Two applications which were recently received await a valuation from the district valuer. The final case, which involves a drainage problem, is being considered by the local authority concerned. It is envisaged that all outstanding cases will be processed to the stage of the issue of a formal offer to sell within a period of about three months.