§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the estimated additional cost to the probation service of working with victims during 1995–96;
(2) what is the estimated additional cost to the probation service of enforcing national standards during 1995–96.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerGrant support for the probation service in 1995–96 should be sufficient to enable it to carry out its responsibilities in relation to the enforcement of national standards and working with victims without additional provision.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff employed by the probation service in England and Wales have a previous background which is either(a) military, (b) police or (c) industry for the latest date available.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThis information is not readily available.
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§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what adjustments were made to the probation service budget in England and Wales as a result of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe provisional current grant baseline for 1995–96 published after the 1993 Budget statement was £309.1 million, net of retentions and balances. The grant settlement for that year will be £306.3 million plus a further £14.8 million to support probation service partnerships with the independent sector previously funded by the Home Office.