§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees the National Probation Directorate has had in each year since 2000. [151191]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 27 January 2004]The information requested is as follows.
Precise data prior to 2001 is not available, as the National Probation Directorate (NPD) was not established until April 2001. Records show that there were approximately 100 staff in November 2001, and 202 in November 2002.
In March 2003, the NPD had 360 employees, and 444 in December 2003. By April 2004 this total will have been reduced to 335.
1719WThe NPD provides a range of support (including finance and estates) to all 42 probation areas. This enables local areas to focus on operational issues and the reduction of reoffending.