HC Deb 15 December 1982 vol 34 c140W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been given a community service order since its inception; and how many have had their orders revoked.

Mr. Mayhew

The number of persons given a community service order in each year is published annually in "Probation and aftercare statistics, England and Wales"—(table 28 of the issue for 1980, and table 6.2 of the issue for 1981, to be published on 16 December—and a provisional figure for 1981 was published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin, issue 10/82. From the inception of the scheme at the beginning of 1973 to the end of 1981 these numbers totalled about 105,000. Corresponding information on terminations of the community service orders of these persons is not available. Information on the termination of orders relates to orders terminated in years since 1975–76 and is published annually in the same publication—table 34 of the issue for 1980 and table 6.9 of the issue for 1981. In recent years about a quarter of the orders terminated were revoked for failure to comply with requirements, conviction of another offence or other changes in circumstances.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date community service orders will be available for 16-year-olds.

Mr. Mayhew

The Government's intention is to bring into force the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1982, which empower the courts to order community service for 16-year-olds, along with the majority of the other provisions of the Act, in particular the new sentencing structure for young offenders, in the second quarter of 1983. As provided for in the Act, the power to impose community service orders on 16-year-olds will be made available to the courts area by area as arrangements for work to be performed under such orders are set up, according to the availability of resources and facilities in each probation area.