§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he will measure efficiency and productivity in respect of future pay rounds in the probation service in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MacleanIn reaching a judgment about the productivity and efficiency of the probation service I shall have regard to the service's key performance indicators, as set out in the three year plan for 1994–97, a copy of which is in the Library.
§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to carry out a review of probation officer basic training in respect of the diploma in social work.
§ Mr. MacleanSuch a review is timely and I propose to announce its basis and terms of reference shortly.
§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will conduct the next review of probation national standards; and when the review will be completed.
§ Mr. MacleanThe review will take place over the first half of 1994 with a view to the publication of revised national standards in September.
§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the assistant chief officer grade in the probation service in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MacleanI have at this stage no proposals for changes to this grade.
§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the entry requirements for probation training in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MacleanNone at this stage, but I propose to review the qualifying training arrangements and to announce the basis of and terms of reference for the review shortly.