§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what number he expects to increase the establishment for probation officers as a result of additional duties expected to arise from legislation now before the House.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsAllowance for the additional duties likely to arise from the provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill has been made in the Government's plans for the expansion of the service. Provisional estimates suggest that the additional duties would be equivalent to the case-loads of not more than 20 probation officers.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what have been the numbers of recruits to, and resignations and retirements from, the Probation Service during 1964, 1965, and the current year to date;
(2) what is the number of probation officers currently employed in the United Kingdom; and by how many it differs from the establishment provided for.
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§ Mr. Roy JenkinsDuring 1964 the number of established officers appointed to the probation and after-care service in England and Wales was 266, and retirements and resignations totalled 118. For 1965 and, provisionally, for the first 11 months of 1966 the corresponding figures were 328 and 159, and 288 and 125, respectively. On 30th November, 1966, the number of established officers was, provisionally, 2,481; in addition there were 97 probation officers acting as prison welfare officers. There is no authorised establishment for the service but the Government's declared aim is to bring the number up to 3,500 officers by 1970.