To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-8485 by Cathy Jamieson on 8 June 2004, how many prison officer hours have been released from prisoner transport duties as a result of the contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services and why this information was not given in the answer.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The answer to S2W-8485 answered on 8 June 2004, gave the information then available. The position has not changed.