Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 15 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2000. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will publish the bill to extend the use of mandatory drug testing, reform the probation services in England and Wales, create a new children and family court advisory service and prevent unsuitable people from working with children; what are the reasons for the timescale adopted for publishing the Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Bill to extend the use of mandatory drug testing, reform the probation services in England and Wales, create a new children and family court advisory service and prevent unsuitable people from working with children; what are the reasons for the timescale adopted for publishing the Bill; and if he will make a statement. [110749] Mr. Charles Clarke: We will introduce legislation to reform the probation service in England and Wales, to create a new children and family court advisory service, to provide for mandatory drug testing, to extend the use of electronic monitoring, and to create an integrated system to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children, as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 344 c833W; 110749
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Children Courts Advisory services Families Drugs Prisons Misuse Probation Testing