§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Prison Service recruitment policy. [15188]
§ Mr. DewarThe Scottish Prison Service manages its recruitment in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code. This ensures that recruitment is carried out on the basis of fair and open competition and selection on merit. The recruitment arrangements in place are subject to internal management checks and were audited by the Civil Service Commissioners in 1996.
Details of the recruitment carried out in 1996-97 including the use of permitted exceptions to the principles of open and fair competition are contained in the Scottish Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts for 1996–97, a copy of which is in the Library.