§ Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he proposes to reply to questions about the Scottish Prison Service. [1068]
§ Mr. DewarIn view of the special sensitivity of prison matters, I have decided that all Questions about the Scottish Prison Service will be answered by a Scottish Office Minister and not by the Chief Executive of the Service. This is no reflection whatever on the Chief Executive who has discharged well his responsibilities in this regard, nor does it have any implication for the Scottish Prison Service as an Agency; but it recognises particular concerns that Ministers should answer personally on matters relating to imprisonment.