§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will detail those probation services which use 222W volunteers in their work ; and how many are used in each probation committee area.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:The number of volunteers used by the probation service is constantly changing and I have not felt justified in asking for regular statistics. The most recent information—at 30th September 1975—showed that 53 out of 56 areas were using volunteers and that the total number involved was about 5,000. The number has certainly grown since then as the valuable contribution they make has been increasingly recognised. A survey of probation resources, including volunteers, is at present in progress ; this will not be completed for some time but I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.