HL Deb 09 October 2000 vol 617 cc10-1WA
Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recruitment process of Chief Probation Officers for the probation areas that are to be amalgamated and other vacancies between now and 1 April 2001 will meet the Home Office's equal opportunities policies. [HL3867]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The Government are fully committed to equality of opportunity. Current plans for the new National Probation Service, subject to the enactment of the Criminal Justice and Court Service Bill, envisage a vesting date of 1 April 2001. A recruitment process, which meets the Home Office's equal opportunities policies, is currently under way to fill Chief Officer posts in the eight amalgamating areas and other Chief Officer vacancies between now and 1 April 2001.