§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the planned level of spending on the probation service in England for each of the next five years in real terms.
§ Mr. John PattenCurrent expenditure on the probation service by local authorities in England is estimated to be £205 million in 1988–89. This represents an increase in real terms of over 60 per cent. since 1979–80, while probation service manpower has risen by 38 per cent. over this period. The proposed level of expenditure in 1989–90 is £219 million. The Government's expenditure plans down to 1991–92, which are set out in cash terms, will be published early next year in the forthcoming public expenditure White Paper.