§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he makes for rurality in determining the formula for funding the probation service in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe formula takes into account the differing staff costs of providing probation services in different parts of the country. A recent review of the formula by the Home Office, the Central Probation Council and the Association of Chief Officers of Probation concluded that an additional allowance based directly on rurality would not be justified.