To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hostels there are in Scotland providing accommodation for offenders; how many bed places these contain; what the occupancy rate was in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage was taken up by occupants on bail.

Offender accommodation grant-aided by the Scottish Office under section 27B of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 takes a variety of forms. The number of bed places fluctuates but is currently around 90. Detailed information on the level and nature of bed occupancy is not available centrally. A recording system is, however, in the process of being introduced, and a preliminary assessment of some of the accommodation has indicated an occupancy rate of 80 per cent.