§ The Earl of Longfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What increase or decrease they estimate in the probation service budget between 1997 and 2005.
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe previous Government's spending plans for the probation service, as set out in the Home Office Annual Report 1997, envisaged expenditure of £428 million in the present financial year, falling to £425 million next year and £417 million in 1999–2000. We shall maintain central government support at the planned level this financial year, and consider what level of funding the probation service needs in future years, in order to provide punishment in the community which is effective and commands public confidence, as part of the comprehensive spending review which is now getting under way.