HC Deb 13 March 2002 vol 381 cc1096-7W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were employed by the National Probation Directorate (a) on 1 April 2001 and (b) at the latest available date; what the budget was of the service; and if he will make a statement. [41152]

Beverley Hughes

As of 1 April 2001, there were 109 members of staff employed by the National Probation Directorate. This increased to a total of 205 members of staff at the end of January 2002, when the latest figures were collected.

This figure has been taken from the Staff-in-Post returns, which are completed on a regular basis and includes all full time permanent staff, temporary staff and secondments from other services.

At the latest available date, the budgetary cost for these members of staff was £8.264 million. This takes into account the increase of staff from April 2001 until January 2002.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish a pay review body for the National Probation Service. [41151]

Beverley Hughes

There are no plans to establish a review body for the National Probation Service. The Service has longstanding joint arrangements at national level for negotiating the pay and conditions of staff employed by the Probation Boards.