HC Deb 05 July 1983 vol 45 cc62-3W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average cost of a probation order in the most recent year for which figures are available;

(2) what was the average cost of a community service order in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Mr. Mellor

Estimates of the average annual cost of each person on a probation or a community service order in the financial year 1980–81 are published in "Probation and After-Care Statistics, England and Wales 1981"—table 12.3, p. 87. The average cost of a community service order, which, on average, lasts about eight months, is also estimated in chapter 12— paragraph 12.5, p. 85. The average cost of a probation order, on the basis of an average duration of just under 17 months, is about £670. These estimates all involve a number of assumptions and should, therefore, be treated with reserve.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in the number of probation orders made since 1979.

Mr. Mellor

The number of persons commencing probation supervision by the probation service in England and Wales increased by 31 per cent. between 1979 and 1982. This figure is based on the provisional figure for 1982 published in Home Office statistical bulletin 11/83, "Summary probation statistics England and Wales 1982".

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage increase in the number of community service orders made since 1979.

Mr. Mellor

The number of persons commencing community service supervision by the probation service in England and Wales increased by 95 per cent. between 1979 and 1982. This figure is based on the provisional figure for 1982 published in Home Office statistical bulletin 11/83, "Summary probation statistics England and Wales 1982".