§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the effect of the November 1993 statement on the budget of Greater Manchester probation service;
(2) what will be the effect of the 1994 probation budget reduction on staffing levels within each grade of staff; 359W and what assessment he has made of the likelihood of redundancies within each grade of staff in the Greater Manchester probation service;
(3) what assessment he has made of the effect of the 1994 probation budget reduction on the implementation of national standards for the supervision of offenders in the Greater Manchester probation service;
(4) what assessment he has made of the effect of the 1994 probation budget cut on staff terms and conditions of service in the Greater Manchester probation service;
(5) what will be the effect of the November 1994 Budget statement on the Greater Manchester probation service;
(6) what assessment he has made of the effect of the 19945 probation budget reduction on liaison with victim support and work with victims in the Greater Manchester probation service;
(7) what reduction in hostel provision will result from the 1994 budget reduction to the Greater Manchester probation service;
(8) what reduction in probation centre provision will result from the 1994 budget reduction to the Greater Manchester probation service.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe 1993 Budget statement resulted in a specific grant cash limit for 1994–95 for the Greater Manchester probation service of £18.9 million, 6.3 per cent. higher than for 1993–94. The 1994 Budget statement resulted in a specific grant cash limit for 1995–96 of £18.8 million, plus a further £900,000 to support probation service partnerships with the independent sector previously funded separately by the Home Office.
It is for the Greater Manchester probation service to decide how these resources are best used and to determine what specific changes within the service, including staffing levels, should he undertaken with the total expenditure limit implied by this level of grant support and within the terms and conditions of service of probation officers as determined by the Home Secretary.
Grant support should be sufficient to enable the Greater Manchester service to carry out its responsibilities in relation to the enforcement of national standards and working with victims.
Approved hostels are separately funded by the Home Office; and no changes in hostel provision in the Greater Manchester area are planned as a result of the last Budget.