THE Scottish Prison Service has blocked a plan by officers at Shotts

Prison to hold a political debate on the premises next month.

Local officials of the Scottish Prison Officers' Association,

concerned at the implications of the proposed Criminal Justice Bill,

have already invited MPs to a meeting at the prison next month.

But they have now been told by senior prison service officials that

the event cannot take place at the prison. A service spokesman said:

''It is parliamentary convention that Government premises are not used

to hold what is, in effect, a political meeting to oppose the policy of

the Government.''

The Shotts members, angered by the ban, are now discussing their next

move, and early indications suggest that the debate, scheduled for May

20, will go ahead elsewhere.