§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on his plans to change the name of the Probation Service to the Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Service; how many representations were(a) in favour and (b) against his plans; and if he will make a statement. [112738]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 2 March 2000]: A total of 216 representations have been received relating to the proposed change to the name of the probation service. The great majority of these have been generally supportive of the plans for modernising the service and accept the benefit of having a new name, but most expressed concern about the name "Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Service". The new name will be one of a range of measures in the forthcoming Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill, and I have said that I will listen carefully to the points raised when the Bill is considered by Parliament.