§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements exist for visits from relatives, including children, to foreign nationals in gaols; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonArrangements for visits by family members to foreign nationals in Scottish penal establishments are no different from arrangements for visits to other prisoners, except that governors make particular efforts to accommodate the needs of foreign nationals whose visitors may have travelled a great distance to see them. Foreign nationals may speak with their visitors in their own language.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) male and (b) female foreign nationals are serving a sentence or are on remand in a prison; and if he will list their countries of origin.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonOn 15 May 1991 there were 40 foreign nationals in Scottish penal establishments. All were male. Thirty-six were serving sentences and four were on remand. Their countries of origin are given in the table.
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Country of origin Sentenced Remand Australia 2 — Bangladesh 1 — Canada 3 — Colombia 2 —
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe information requested is provided in the table except for the prisoners' or young offenders' names, which have been omitted out of consideration for their family and friends. If the hon. Member wishes these details I should be happy to write to him.
Fatal accident inquiries have been held in each case. The sheriffs' determinations are matters of public record.
Country of origin Sentenced Remand Cyprus 1 — Denmark 2 — France 1 — Guyana I — Hong Kong 1 — India 2 — Ireland 4 — Libya 1 — Malta 1 — Netherlands 2 — Nigeria 2 1 Norway 1 — Pakistan 6 3 Peru 1 — United States of America 1 — Yugoslavia 1 — Total 36 4
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many foreign nationals imprisoned in gaols in Scotland are accompanied by dependent children.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNone.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration the Parole Board gives in its deliberations to the difficulties experienced by foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThis is entirely a matter for the Parole Board for Scotland, which is an independent 371W body with responsibility for exercising the functions conferred on it by section 18 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many foreign nationals in gaols have dependants resident in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonSuch information is not available. Prisoners are under no obligation to divulge to the Secretary of State whether or not they have dependants or where they are resident.