HC Deb 18 May 2004 vol 421 cc860-1W
Ross Cranston

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for the change in the gross financial provision of the National Probation Directorate for 2003–04 [168463]

Paul Goggins

The Original budget delegation to the National Probation Service, which comprises the central directorate and 42 local probation boards, for 2003–04 was £778 million including £33 million capital. The latest budget provision is £856 million including £38 capital.

The main reasons for the additional funding include: the need to build capacity in preparation for the Criminal Justice Act 2003; and increased funding for electronic monitoring, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and the development of IT.