§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make it his policy that, before prison officers are accepted for service in Scottish prisons, they should be in possession of a professional qualification equivalent to a higher national certificate in prison studies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lang[pursuant to his reply, 26 January 1987]: There is at present no higher national certificate in prison studies or any equivalent qualification in Scotland. Consideration is currently being given to the possibility of introducing such a certificate in the Scottish prison service, but this would be for serving personnel, to enhance their career prospects. To make possession of such a certificate a prerequisite for entry to the prison officer grade would debar otherwise well qualified and motivated candidates from pursuing a career in the prison service.