HL Deb 24 January 1985 vol 459 cc438-9WA
Baroness Vickers

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received a report from the Berkshire Probation Committee about Colin Evans.

Lord Elton

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has received a report from the Berkshire Probation Committee about the involvement of the Berkshire Probation Service with Colin Evans, and I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. The report sets out the history of the case and explains the circumstances in which Colin Evans' probation officer, Mr. P. G. Southerton, was disciplined by the chief probation officer in August 1982. In the light of the report from the Berkshire Probation Committee, the Home Office is reminding chief probation officers that it is the duty of all probation officers, when dealing with child sex offenders, to take every step to prevent their having contact with children. In addition, as my right honourable friend announced on 19th December, a review is in hand of the arrangements whereby information about the criminal background of those who seek to do any work, paid or unpaid, with children is made available to those who need to know it.