HC Deb 01 February 1990 vol 166 c298W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to privatise parts of the probation service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The Government intend to publish shortly a Green Paper setting out a number of options for the organisation and management of probation service work. This will include an examination of the contribution that the voluntary and private sectors might make to the service's work. No changes will be made without full consultation. There are no plans to privatise the service.