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I take it from what you are saying to the committee that the new prison is a priority, you will see the design plans in April and then you will start to release the relevant capital to get work started. Is that fair?

I understand that you cannot answer that question. I suppose that I would like to think that the Government is pressing the Crown for an answer. You are coming to the committee asking us to endorse the extension, but I do not think there is any justification for the Crown asking for it. I am less sympathetic to the extension to that time limit.

Can I ask you about the letter, which I have only just seen? I understand that you are consulting on making permanent measures that would include electronic signing of documents, virtual attendance at criminal courts and national jurisdiction for callings from custody—there is a list of things that you are asking to be made permanent. We will not be able to cover this today, but can I highlight a few areas of concern? Have you discussed national jurisdiction with the legal profession, for example? That must have huge implications for where people are tried and where the lawyers have to be.

Thank you very much.

I want to ask about recent press reports about Barlinnie prison in Glasgow. I think that you have already alluded to issues with the construction industry. Could you elaborate on that? Has the timetable changed again and what are the actual reasons that you are being given for the delay? I understand that the cost of raw materials is going up, but that is the case across the sector. Given that we are building one prison here, and that it is a priority, I am having difficulty in understanding what seem to be repeated delays in bringing it about.

Yes, I am learning, but, to be candid, it is not fair for the committee to be left with the perception by the Government or the SPS that the timeline just moves all the time. I know that it is complicated, but, up this point, it feels that there is some smoke and mirrors when we try to pin down anything at all on a project that is meant to be a priority. That is all that I am trying to press you on.

Does that mean that the anticipated date of 2026 is not a real date any more? Is that just fluid?

I want to make sure that I have understood what we are being asked to do. The Government set out its position in the debate on the extension of time limits due to coronavirus. I think that you also said that there might be a requirement to review the situation in 2026. Does that mean that you have to come to the committee with an SSI each time you want to extend by a year? I am trying to understand the procedure.

It just seems to be a lot slower, from where I am sitting.

Yes. I am really struggling.

Good morning. In response to Sharon Dowey’s line of questioning, Teresa Medhurst said that Kilmarnock has a one-tier staffing structure whereas SPS has two tiers. I was aware of that, and I think that one of the reasons why Serco said that they ran HMP Kilmarnock more cheaply than SPS was that it did not have the same grading structure. Does that mean that the figures that you have outlined incorporate going to a two-tier structure? Presumably, that will be a lower pay or higher pay structure.

Will we just wait and hear when that work is done?