§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the Probation Service; and if he will make a statement. [57392]
§ Mr. George HowarthOur proposals for modernising the probation services of England and Wales are set out in the consultation document "Joining Forces to Protect the Public", which was published on 6 August this year. The consultation will conclude on 27 November. Also relevant are our proposals set out in the consultation paper "Support Services in Family Proceedings—Future Organisation of Court Welfare Services", which was published on 30 July. This consultation will conclude on 13 November. Copies of both consultation documents are available in the Library. In both cases, there will be no decisions taken until all the responses have been carefully considered.