§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans 345W for a development of a probation hostel system for adult offenders in Scotland, in view of the present absence of a system.
§ Mr. McElhoneNo. Social work authorities have the statutory responsibility for the provision of services for offenders. A number of authorities have plans for the provision of accommodation suitable for offenders, but implementation of these will depend on decisions about priorities.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will designate funds for the development of probation methods and associated facilities for the treatment of offenders in the community, in view of the decline in the use of probation.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe Scottish Office Central Research Unit, with guidance and assistance from the Social Work Services Group of the Scottish Education Department, has recently begun to study the arrangements made for supervision and treatment of offenders by local authority social work departments. Authorities will be advised of recommendations suggesting any developments in social work practice, but the implementation of any such recommendations would depend on the availability of local authority resources.