§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take immediate steps to relieve the overcrowding in Saughton prison, Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland; if he will make it his policy to abolish overcrowding in Scottish prisons as soon as practicable; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayAction was taken in March of this year to reduce the level of overcrowding in Edinburgh prison by providing accommodation for 50 under-21 remand inmates, who would normally be held in Edinburgh prison, in Polmont young offenders' institution.
I can hold out no prospect of being able to afford any further significant relief to Edinburgh prison until phase II of Shotts prison becomes available in the spring of 1987.
It is already Government policy to end overcrowding, which mainly affects Edinburgh and Barlinnie prisons and Longriggend remand institution, as soon as practicable.