§ Mr. Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers, who, having been in post for more than five years, at the time when A and B grading was introduced in 1972, were refused B grade and have either continued in post on A grade or have subsequently retired.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI regret that this information is not readily available, and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with the National Association of Probation Officers about the treatment of the probation officers who were refused B grade.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe association has been in correspondence with my Department or behalf of certain long-serving350W probations officers who have not been advanced to this higher salary scale. By virtue of an agreement reached within the Joint negotiating Committee for the Probation Service the advancement of individual officers to the higher salary scale is at present a matter for the probation and after-care committees concerned in accordance with the agreed criteria and procedure. Any proposals for changes in the present arrangements would need to be discussed within the Joint Negotiating Committee.