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Human rights anomaly action urged Slopping out millions 'must stop'
(20 minutes later)
The Scottish Government is urging Westminster to change the law to stop millions of pounds of compensation being paid to criminals. Millions of pounds of compensation being paid to criminals under human rights laws is "unacceptable", Scotland's justice minister has said.
So far £11m has been paid to more than 3,500 prisoners after a judge ruled their human rights had been breached by poor toilet facilities in jail. So far £11m has been paid to more than 3,700 prisoners after a judge ruled their human rights had been breached by slopping out the prison cell toilets.
In Scotland such claims can date back to the introduction of the Human Rights Act in 2001. In England and Wales there is a one-year time bar for such claims.
Elsewhere in the UK claims must be made within one year. Kenny MacAskill wants the UK government to legislate to bring Scotland into line with the rest of the country.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill wants the UK government to legislate to bring Scotland into line with the rest of the country. A House of Lords ruling in October 2007 said claims in Scotland could date back to 2001, when human rights laws became operational.
He told parliament that £67m had been set aside for payouts to this year. Prison cells
Human rights The anomaly has arisen because of the wording of the Scotland Act which established devolution - and included human rights provisions.
Mr MacAskill described the situation as "untenable and unacceptable" and said changing the law would free £50m for spending on other government priorities. Only Westminster can change this and Scottish ministers have been urging their colleagues in London to act quickly.
Mr MacAskill told parliament £67m had been set aside for payouts to this year.
He described the situation as "untenable and unacceptable" and said changing the law would free £50m for spending on other government priorities.
Slopping out was the practice of using buckets as toilets in prison cells.Slopping out was the practice of using buckets as toilets in prison cells.
Although it has now ended, claims continue to be made, dating back up to eight years.Although it has now ended, claims continue to be made, dating back up to eight years.
Mr MacAskill said 3,737 cases had been settled at a cost of £11.2m.Mr MacAskill said 3,737 cases had been settled at a cost of £11.2m.
A further 1,223 were being dealt with - an average of 200 new claims per month.A further 1,223 were being dealt with - an average of 200 new claims per month.
The House of Lords ruling in October 2007 said claims in Scotland could date back to 2001, when human rights laws became operational.
In England and Wales there is a one-year time bar for such claims.
The anomaly has arisen because of the wording of the Scotland Act which established devolution - and included human rights provisions.
Only Westminster can change this and Scottish ministers have been urging their colleagues in London to act quickly.