HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc528-9
29. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his grounds for extending to the London probation officers combined together in their professional association the rule requiring individual officers to obtain prior sanction before publishing any matter touching on the business of the courts; and to what extent this rule applies to statements made to the Press, whether by individual officers in London or on the authority of the London Branch of the National Association of Probation Officers, about matters not touching on the business of the courts but arising from his relations with the London probation officers.

Mr. Renton

The rule is designed to protect the interests of the probation service, the courts it serves, and the people with whom it deals. The second part of the Question does not arise, because my right hon. Friend's relations with the London probation officers necessarily touch upon the business of the courts.

Mr. Janner

Is not this a very serious position from the point of view of the interests of the probation officers? Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that by putting this kind of imposition upon a body which deals with the interests of probation officers he is limiting their rights, and will he say what he considers comes within the business of the courts? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman referring to everything which probation officers discuss at their own meetings?

Mr. Renton

It would be better to wait until we have an application to publish matter in the Press. We have had no application so far, but my right hon. Friend is always prepared to consider any application on its merits.

Mr. Janner

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman go into the matter again? Was it not at the instigation of the Home Office that this particular branch was prevented from giving information to the Press? Does he realise that that is just as bad as refusing an application?

Mr. Renton

I am not aware of the case to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I should point out that the National Association of Probation Officers communicates freely with the Press through its general secretary, and that is the proper channel.