§ 3. Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers were serving in England and Wales on 1st April 1975; and what was the comparable figure for 1st April 1974.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Roy Jenkins)On 1st April 1975 there were 4,728 whole-time and 111 part-time probation officers serving in England and Wales. The corresponding figures on 1st April 1974 were 4,480 and 102 respectively.
§ Mr. AitkenThat is a somewhat disappointing reply. The previous Government had a rather better record, being able to recruit probation officers at a faster rate. Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that in an age when keeping someone in prison costs £41 a week there is a need to strengthen methods of keeping people out of prison, and that strengthening the overworked and underpaid probation service is essential?
§ Mr. JenkinsI attach great importance to the probation service, both because of the argument advanced by the hon. Gentleman and in general. I am happy to say that I am to address the probation officers' annual conference at Newcastle-upon-Tyne tomorrow. The figures for the past year show a significant increase. The figures for the future are not without a ceiling, unlike those for the police, but I cannot have all Home Office recruitment figures without a ceiling. I am not in favour of being an economist in every Department except my own. The figures allow for a significant increase during the coming year.
§ Mr. CarlisleIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's last answer, may I take it that there is no intention by the Government to cut the figures put forward by the previous Government to allow for a substantial increase in the probation service until the end of 1976, which I think was the last date on which a figure was announced?
§ Mr. JenkinsThe net increase in the strength of established officers under the present plans is expected to be about 5 per cent. during the forthcoming period. We face conditions of financial stringency, and it is no good trying to pretend that they do not apply in any subject in which any hon. Member is interested.
§ Mr. LiptonWill my hon. Friend examine the conditions under which probation officers work? Is he aware of a recent case in which a probation officer refused to give evidence before a court in a battered baby case? That revealed a most unsatisfactory state of affairs.
§ Mr. JenkinsThat raises an individual issue. If my hon. Friend would care to write to me about it I shall look at it carefully and send him a considered reply.