§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to privatise parts of the probation service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Government intend to publish shortly a Green Paper setting out a number of options for the organisation and management of probation service work. This will include an examination of the contribution that the voluntary and private sectors might make to the service's work. No changes will be made without full consultation. There are no plans to privatise the service.