70. Mr. Slaterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers there are in County Durham; how this figure compares with other county areas; and what is the establishment for Durham County of this service.
§ Mr. VosperThere are 48 probation officers in County Durham. The average case-load of the men officers is 61.6 and of the women officers 43.9: these figures compare with 64.9 for men and 39.9 for women in the country as a whole on 31st December, 1959, the last date for which national figures are available. The establishment for Durham County is 49, the one vacancy will be filled on 1st January next, and I understand that the Probation Committee propose to increase the establishment by three officers in the financial year 1961–62.