HC Deb 18 October 1989 vol 158 cc170-1W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps will be taken to reduce suicides or suicide attempts in Scottish prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Among measures already taken are an increase in the number of cells especially designed to hold inmates who are under observation and the provision of flame-retardant mattresses throughout Scottish penal establishments. In addition the prison service updates on the basis of past experience, best practice, and expert advice the procedures for minimising suicides and suicide attempts.

Scotland Strathclyde Glasgow
Number of pupils on register Number of pupils receiving free meals Number of pupils on register Number of pupils receiving free meals Number of pupils on register Number of pupils receiving free meals
1974 1,037,183 130,427 526,100 73,419 not available 32,177
1975 1,036,757 121,977 521,979 71,604 164,773 33,244
1976 1,041,826 116,805 524,252 71,086 175,991 32,179
1977 1,035,804 117,790 520,188 71,390 169,601 32,726
1978 1,017,103 155,716 503,097 94,357 157,181 39,239
1979 1,003,825 142,989 485,962 84,999 146,456 37,234
1980 971,329 122,618 470,120 72,881 137,931 31,743
1981 953,683 114,713 460,676 74,565 137,081 32,913
1982 926,838 124,547 444,241 79,406 130,808 34,156
1983 899,133 132,953 427,751 85,426 124,377 36,045
1984 868,606 129,335 410,352 82,348 117,479 33,791
1985 848,417 136,669 399,568 84,096 112,266 33,947
1986 828,507 136,627 389,006 84,659 108,985 34,059
1987 813,812 143,194 381,480 87,362 104,821 34,671
1988 796,404 145,219 371,871 87,147 101,917 35,337
1989 785,687 105,232 366,126 63,905 99,226 27,053