Mr. Harveyasked the Home Secretary whether consideration has been given to the conditions upon which offenders may be placed on probation by a magistrate's court; whether any guidance has been given to magistrates on this question; and whether he will consider the provision of safeguards to prevent the imposition of inequitable or burdensome obligations as a condition of probation?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir. The Departmental Committee on Social Services in Courts of Summary Jurisdiction considered this matter and in its report published last year emphasised the importance of inserting in a probation order such conditions as are suitable to the circumstances of the individual case. The committee added a warning against the use of extravagant conditions, examples of which were brought to its notice and are quoted in the report. The attention of justices 2219W has already been called to this report, but my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the desirability of dealing with this particular matter in some future circular.