Oral Answers to Questions

Hugh Bayley Excerpts

Tuesday 15th June 2010 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab)]

1. What his plans are for the budget for the probation service in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

[Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab)]

7. What plans he has for the funding of the probation service in 2010-11.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Crispin Blunt)]

For 2010-11, the budget for the probation trusts will be £850 million. Budgets for 2011-12 are not yet set, and will be done through the spending review process to take place later this year.

[Hugh Bayley]

Last Sunday, on Sky News, the Justice Secretary said:

“let’s have fewer people in prison”,

and that there are

“some things we can do to stop people re-offending when they come out”.

Did he have the probation service in mind? Will the Minister give me a categorical assurance that there will be no cut in funding for the probation service, because it will be impossible to carry out that policy if there is?

[Mr Blunt]

It would be very nice if the country was in an economic position that allowed me to deliver such a categorical assurance to the hon. Gentleman but, as he knows perfectly well, I am afraid that I cannot do so. He also knows that part of the Ministry of Justice’s contribution to the £6 billion target was a £20 million reduction in the probation service’s budget. However, that budget had been added to by £26 million in mid-year by the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), who is now the shadow Justice Secretary.