§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has given consideration to an allocation of funds from central Government to those probation and after-care committees which have not yet introduced community service in their areas.
§ Dr. SummerskillResources available under the recent rate support grant settlement will allow an expansion of community service by offenders in 1976–77. My right hon. Friend has approved the introduction of new community service schemes in certain probation and aftercare areas and their expansion in others as from 1st April, and hopes to announce further extensions in due course. The settlement was relatively favourable to the Probation Service and it is not possible to provide additional resources from central Government funds in the present economic situation.