To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to encourage the development of similar schemes to the Mid Glamorgan straight thinking on probation programme in other areas of the United Kingdom.

All probation services are encouraged to provide, and to ensure that the courts which they serve are aware of, a range of effective supervision programmes for offenders sentenced to probation which are directed towards reduction of subsequent offending. The effectiveness of the STOP programme is currently being evaluated. The findings will be taken into account in further guidance that we give and by HM inspectorate of probation in the context of their work in promoting good practice.