§ Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a report from the Berkshire probation committee about Colin Evans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanI have received a report from the Berkshire probation committee about the involvement of the Berkshire probation service with Colin Evans and am placing a copy in the Library of the House. The report sets out the history of the case and explains the circumstances in which Colin Evans' probation officer, Mr. P. G. Southerton, was disciplined by the chief probation officer in August 1982.
In the light of the report from the Berkshire probation committee, the Home Office is reminding chief probation officers that it is the duty of all probation officers, when dealing with child sex offenders, to take every step to prevent their having contact with children. In addition, as I announced on 19 December, a review is in hand of the arrangements whereby information about the criminal background of those who seek to do any work, paid or unpaid, with children is made availble to those who need to know it.