§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further progress has been made in the preparation of the architect's brief for the new Peterhead prison; when he anticipates that this brief will be issued; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramAn outline architect's brief for the new Peterhead prison is nearing completion and should be issued within the next month. The brief will then be developed in consultation with the architects to arrive at sketch plans and a final design. Construction on site is programmed to begin in 1987.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many incidents of unrest at Peterhead prison have been reported to him in the year 1984 and to the latest date in 1985, which involved injuries to prison officers serving in the prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe number of incidents at Peterhead prison in 1984 and 1985 to date in which members of prison staff sustained injuries was 19 and 5 respectively.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange to visit Peterhead prison to discuss with the governor and representatives of the Prison Officers Association any further action which may be required for additional isolation units and an increase in the number of officers who are employed within the prison.
§ Mr. AncramI have no plans at present to visit Peterhead prison. A senior official from prisons group headquarters has already visited the prison since the recent incident and I have asked my officials to make a further visit to Peterhead to discuss what action may need to be taken.
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§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the circumstances in which seven prison officers at Peterhead prison recently sustained injuries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramPolice investigations have resulted in four prisoners being charged on a number of counts. Until these charges have been disposed of I can make no further comment.