§ Sir G. Willsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the departmental committee on the probation service for increases in the salaries of probation officers.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe Committee's recommendations involve a fundamental reassessment of the salaries of the Probation Service and will require careful study in the light not only of the considerations set out in the Report, but also of those set out in Cmd. Paper 1626. As a first step, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I propose to refer the matter to the Joint Negotiating Committee for the Probation Service in England and Wales and the Probation Officers' Committee of the National Joint Industrial Council for Local Authority Services in Scotland. Meanwhile, the Government cannot enter into any commitment as to the implementation of the recommendations.