HC Deb 05 March 1985 vol 74 cc454-5W
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to eliminate overcrowding in Scottish prisons.

Mr. Ancram

The present overcrowding in the Scottish penal system mainly affects Edinburgh and Barlinnie prisons and Longriggend remand institution. An increase in the adult population, particularly remand prisoners, has created an imbalance in the system and action taken to remedy this includes redesignating a young offenders institution for adults and transferring some under 21 remands from Edinburgh prison to Polmont young offenders institution. In the longer term, the reopening early in 1986 of Greenock prison following redevelopment and the completion early in 1987 of phase II of Shotts prison should virtually eliminate overcrowding, provided that the inmate population does not increase significantly beyond the present level.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on prison building for each year since 1974 giving figures to date; and what will be the total bill for the cost of repairing Peterhead prison.

Mr. Ancram

Capital expenditure on prison building in Scotland since 1974 is as follows:

£ million
1974–75 3.379
1975–76 3.600
1976–77 6.559
1977–78 1.696
1978–79 1.737
1979–80 1.507
1980–81 2.880
1981–82 3.891
1982–83 4.373
1983–84 5.458
1984–85 *8.535
* Estimate

Expenditure on refurbishing Peterhead prison amounts to some £1.4 million. This includes £500,000 for the new 10-cell unit.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when Shotts prison building will be completed and for how many places.

Mr. Ancram

The phase II development of Shotts prison is programmed for completion early in 1987 and will provide 468 inmate places.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what future spending on Scottish prisons has been planned by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

I refer my hon. Friend to pages 76 and 80–82 of "Public Expenditure to 1987–88: a Commentary on the Scotland Programme." The main project after Shotts prison phase II will be the new maximum security prison at Peterhead, work on which is programmed to begin in 1987 and to be completed in 1990 at an estimated cost of £12.3 million.