asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many attacks were perpetrated upon prison officers in Scotland in each year since 1970; what was the punishment meted out to each offender in each case; and what was the compensation paid to the injured officer in each case.

The number of assaults by inmates—other than those serving in borstal institutions—on prison officers in Scotland in each year since 1970 is as follows:

1970	45
1971	34
1972	44
1973	39
1974	51
1975	43
1976	51
1977	49
1978	63
1979	71
1980 (to 25 March)	16

Those who were found guilty of committing the assaults were dealt with either by the courts—which imposed custodial sentences ranging from seven years to 30 days—by the visiting committees—which awarded a variety of punishments, ranging from loss of a year's remission to the loss of privileges for varying periods—or the governors—who awarded a variety of punishments, ranging from loss of 14 days' remission to loss of privileges for varying periods.It is open to victims to seek compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The Department does not hold records of any such claims.