§ Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about the objectives and priorities of the probation service.
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§ Mr. BrittanDiscussions over the past year or so between my Department and the probation service have led to the formulation of a statement of national objectives and priorities. This statement sets the work of the probation service in the context of my general strategy for dealing with crime and is intended to provide a basis for a more systematic approach to the management and deployment of resources.
The statement, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House, is a Home Office document, but will, I believe, command a large measure of support from the probation service. It sets out for the first time the Home Office view of the purpose of the probation service, the specific tasks which it should undertake and the broad order of priorities which it should follow.
As area probation services are independent, it will be for probation committees and their chief probation officers to set their own objectives and priorities, taking into consideration the views of the courts and other interested organisations in their areas. I am confident that in doing so they will wish to have due regard to the national statement.
The statement is a working document which will be kept under review. Although primarily intended for probation service management, we are giving it wide circulation amongst organisations and others representing the various interests in the criminal justice system and those representing local government. I look forward to receiving in due course their views as well as those of the employers, management and staff of the probation service itself on the objectives and priorities set out in the statement.