16. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Probation Service in reducing the re-offending rate. (106805)

The latest re-offending results for adults were published on 9 November 2006. The results show that the re-offending rate has been reduced by3.4 per cent. in 2003 in comparison to 1997, compared to a predicted rate. The Government are committedto reducing re-offending by 10 per cent. by 2010. Re-offending performance is not measured at probation service level.

17. To ask the Secretary of State forthe Home Department what recent guidance his Department has issued to the Probation Service in connection with the monitoring of offenders when released from prison on licence. (106806)

Since January 2005, three probation circulars have been issued containing specific national guidance for the monitoring and supervision of offenders on licence in the community. In April 2005, revised national standards were issued, setting out the minimum requirements for contact with and the production of management plans for offenders on licence.