§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the attempt by two inmates of Peterhead prison to escape in January; and when the matter was reported to him.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo attempt to escape from Peterhead prison was made during January 1986. Several items which might have been used in an escape bid were found during a search by staff on 29 December 1985 and this was reported to the Scottish Home and Health Department on 3 January 1986.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that there are sufficient prison officers available on each shift to supervise properly the activities of inmates in the tailor's shop at Peterhead prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayI am satisfied that the prison governor is making proper arrangements for such supervision.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the method of purchase and delivery of cloth materials to the tailor's shop at Peterhead prison; and what steps are taken to seek to prevent the misuse of these materials by inmates who are engaged on work in the tailor's shop.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe materials used in the tailoring workshop at Peterhead are purchased centrally and delivered to the prison by Scottish Office vehicles as cut parts for making up into garments. The cut parts are issued to the workshop from a lockfast store in sufficient quantities to manufacture a specific number of garments. In this way misuse can be identified and checked. Prisoners are searched each time they leave the workshop in order to prevent attempted pilfering of equipment or materials.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to visit Peterhead prison.
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§ Mr. John MacKayMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to visit Peterhead prison. However, it is my intention to visit in the near future.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further progress has been made with the plans for the new Peterhead prison; when the project will commence; what consultations have taken place with the Peterhead branch of the Scottish Prison Officers Association; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Ancram) on 26 March 1985. The sketch design stage of the planning of the new Peterhead prison is very close to completion following which the final design plan will be agreed. The initial brief for the new prison was discussed with the Peterhead branch of the Scottish Prison Officers Association and their comments have been taken into account throughout the sketch design stage.