§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations are undertaken before appointments are made to local probation committees. [7951]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe majority of probation committee members are magistrates, elected by their benches. Where committees choose to co-opt members of the local community it is for them to decide how to do so: many committees place public advertisements to attract people with suitable interests and experience. Where committees co-opt members of local authorities, as they are required to do in metropolitan areas and may decide to do elsewhere, they should consult the authorities concerned about the appointments.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how local probation committees are accountable to their communities. [7948]
§ Mr. SackvilleLocal probation committees are responsible to their communities through the management of services: by the publication of Her Majesty's inspection reports, annual reports and by an obligation under national standards to liaise closely with local communities.