§ 16. Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present actual number, annual rate of increase, and desirable number of probation officers.
§ Miss BaconOn 30th September there were 2,467 established probation officers in England and Wales. From 1961 to 1965 inclusive the average annual net increase was 137; for the first nine months of 1966 the net increase was 148. The Government's declared aim is to bring the number up to 3,500 officers by 1970.
§ Mr. WhitakerApart from being essential for the success of after-care and the imminent parole system, would not an early pay rise be both socially just and a shrewd investment in crime prevention?
§ Miss BaconThere has been an increase in the pay of probation officers recently. However, perhaps my hon. Friend is referring to the pay of senior probation officers, about which, as he probably knows, there was some difficulty.