I am grateful for the opportunity to have an Adjournment debate to raise my deep concerns about the effect of proposed cuts on Humberside probation trust, the severe threat to front-line jobs of compulsory redundancies, the threat to the effectiveness of a highly rated and successful probation service, and the...

I am grateful for the opportunity to have an Adjournment debate to raise my deep concerns about the effect of proposed cuts on Humberside probation trust, the severe threat to front-line jobs of compulsory redundancies, the threat to the effectiveness of a highly rated and successful probation service, and the...

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. He has a long and distinguished connection with Humberside police as a former chairman, as well as connections with Humberside probation service, which adds weight to his comments on this issue. It is essential that we have an efficient service, but I agree...

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. He has a long and distinguished connection with Humberside police as a former chairman, as well as connections with Humberside probation service, which adds weight to his comments on this issue. It is essential that we have an efficient service, but I agree...

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing the debate. As a former member of the Humberside probation trust board, I have seen for myself the fine work that the staff do. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government have a good stated policy on probation work—they want...

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing the debate. As a former member of the Humberside probation trust board, I have seen for myself the fine work that the staff do. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government have a good stated policy on probation work—they want...

I, too, am delighted that the right hon. Gentleman has secured tonight's debate. Does he agree that, because of the recession, when we can perhaps expect crime rates to rise, this is exactly the wrong time to cut front-line probation service staff? I understand that, in the opinion of those...

I, too, am delighted that the right hon. Gentleman has secured tonight's debate. Does he agree that, because of the recession, when we can perhaps expect crime rates to rise, this is exactly the wrong time to cut front-line probation service staff? I understand that, in the opinion of those...

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing this important debate. Many people affected by the cuts have also come to see me, as has Alan Cotterill, the National Association of Probation Officers representative in our area. Every person who has come to see me about the cuts has said...

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing this important debate. Many people affected by the cuts have also come to see me, as has Alan Cotterill, the National Association of Probation Officers representative in our area. Every person who has come to see me about the cuts has said...

I agree with my hon. Friend. I, too, have been in touch with Alan Cotterill, who has made a compelling case on behalf of his members about the problems faced by the service. The speed of the cuts is a concern. It is not just the formula that is an...

I agree with my hon. Friend. I, too, have been in touch with Alan Cotterill, who has made a compelling case on behalf of his members about the problems faced by the service. The speed of the cuts is a concern. It is not just the formula that is an...

NOMS is an Executive agency. We look at these issues in policy terms, but the director general has a number of Executive decisions to take. Issuing indicative budgets is one of them, but we have reviewed the situation with him and reached the conclusions that I have given to my...

NOMS is an Executive agency. We look at these issues in policy terms, but the director general has a number of Executive decisions to take. Issuing indicative budgets is one of them, but we have reviewed the situation with him and reached the conclusions that I have given to my...

It is only fair to put on record my appreciation and thanks. It is excellent news that there will not be compulsory redundancies. I was fascinated to hear the details of the budget, which throws a different light on some matters. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the...

It is only fair to put on record my appreciation and thanks. It is excellent news that there will not be compulsory redundancies. I was fascinated to hear the details of the budget, which throws a different light on some matters. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the...

I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) for raising this issue. I am pleased to see a strong Humberside delegation in the Chamber tonight. My hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Ms Johnson) is on the Treasury Bench, and my hon. Friends...

I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) for raising this issue. I am pleased to see a strong Humberside delegation in the Chamber tonight. My hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Ms Johnson) is on the Treasury Bench, and my hon. Friends...

As I have said, my official, the director of offender management, Steve Wagstaffe, is in close discussion with the Humberside probation trust. I have tried to indicate to hon. Members that the planned cuts of 58.25 full-time equivalent posts have more or less been met through voluntary redundancy requests and...

As I have said, my official, the director of offender management, Steve Wagstaffe, is in close discussion with the Humberside probation trust. I have tried to indicate to hon. Members that the planned cuts of 58.25 full-time equivalent posts have more or less been met through voluntary redundancy requests and...

Adjournment debate on the Humberside Probation Service.

Adjournment debate on the Humberside Probation Service.

It is extraordinary to have released indicative budgets without asking Ministers first. If there was ever an area in which I would have thought Ministers were asked for their approval, it would be one such as that. Can the Minister explain how this happened and what he is doing to...

It is extraordinary to have released indicative budgets without asking Ministers first. If there was ever an area in which I would have thought Ministers were asked for their approval, it would be one such as that. Can the Minister explain how this happened and what he is doing to...

I certainly agree that we can see the success of the probation service in terms of the reduction in reoffending rates and overall reductions in crime. None of our constituents wants an increase in crime, and the probation service is an important part of that. The Government have recognised that...

I certainly agree that we can see the success of the probation service in terms of the reduction in reoffending rates and overall reductions in crime. None of our constituents wants an increase in crime, and the probation service is an important part of that. The Government have recognised that...