asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons serving sentences during 1976 were assessed as being illiterate; and what steps are being taken to reduce illiteracy in Scottish prisons.

Completer information is not available, particularly for adults serving short sentences, but 160 inmates assessed as illiterate and 600 assessed as semi-illiterate attended remedial classes in Scottish penal establish- ments in 1976. Facilities for remedial education are provided at all institutions for persons under 21 and at most prisons, and inmates are given every encouragement to take advantage of them.