HC Deb 16 February 1968 vol 758 cc433-4W
Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the shortage on establishment in Scotland of male and female probation officers, respectively, broken down into probation areas.

Mr. Ross:

There are no shortages.

Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the optimium ratio of probation officers to probationers, excluding fine supervision, upon which Government policy is based.

Mr. Ross:

Local probation committees decide their staff complement according to the balance of duties of different kinds in the area, and the ratio of probationers to officers is only one factor. However, the Morison Committee in 1962 suggested that, in so far as reference to caseloads might still be helpful, the standard for a man officer should be 50 cases.

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