§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland into prisoner grievances at Her Majesty's prison, Peterhead; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. RifkindI have received the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland on the inquiry I requested into grievances of prisoners about conditions and treatment at Peterhead prison. I am placing copies of the report in the Library together with my initial response to its 11 recommendations. Copies of the report and my initial response have been sent to my hon. Friend the member for Banff and Buchan, to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs and the Chairman of the Scottish all-party penal affairs group and to other interested bodies. Copies of the report can be purchased from my Department.
I will give further close consideration to the findings of this report and the "points of note" which Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons has drawn to my attention. A further response to these issues or suggestions will be made in due course.