§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which ombudsman has jurisdiction to review the administration of probation and after care committees and their related probation services; and if he will make a statement. [39419]
§ Mr. KirkhopeNone. The operation of probation services is subject to inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of probation and to review by the Audit Commission.
§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentages of the current probation service work force are(a) over 30 years, (b) male (c) from an ethnic minority background and (d) from a military, police or Prison Service background. [39624]
§ Mr. KirkhopeThe latest available information is as follows.
At 31 March 1995, 35 per cent. of probation service staff—48 per cent. at probation officer grades—were male.
At 31 March 1994, 6.9 per cent. of probation service staff' and the same proportion for probation officer grades were recorded as belonging to ethnic minority groups.
Statistics on the age and employment background of probation service staff are not collected centrally.
1Excludes non-probation officer hostels staff and sessional supervisors.
§ Ms AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when circulars on changes to probation training were issued to chief probation officers and to relevant universities. [39596]
§ Mr. KirkhopeCopies of the decision document published on 2 October were sent the same day to each chief probation officer and university providing courses attracting Home Office sponsorship.
§ Ms AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for future financial arrangements of probation officer qualification training. [39595]
§ Mr. KirkhopeAs the decision document published on 2 October makes clear, the money now spent on supporting the sponsorship scheme will be devolved to area probation services to fund new training arrangements when the necessary plans and preparations have been satisfactorily made.