89. Mr. Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that experienced and well-qualified probation officers are leaving the service because of the attraction of better appointments elsewhere; and whether he will in consequence ask the departmental committee to hasten the completion of its report or make further interim recommendations with regard to the salaries and salary differentials which affect the prospects of promotion.
§ Mr. R. A. Butler:I do not think that there is excessive wastage for the reason suggested. I am satisfied that the Departmental Committee on the Probation Service is making all reasonable haste and progressing well with its task, thus I do not think it necessary to ask it to present an interim report on salaries. Probation Officers received a 12½ per cent. salary increase as recently as August, 1960, on the recommendation of the Joint Negotiating Committee for the Probation Service.