Probation areas

1 Probation areas.

The following areas are probation areas, that is to say—

a

the inner London probation area constituted under section 2;

b

any other combined probation area constituted under that section; and

c

any petty sessions area which is not included in a probation area so constituted.

2 Probation areas comprising two or more petty sessions areas.

1

The Secretary of State may by order make provision for combining any two or more petty sessions areas in one probation area.

2

Before making an order the Secretary of State shall give the justices acting for any petty sessions area affected by the order an opportunity of making representations about it, and shall consider any such representations.

3

The Secretary of State—

a

shall make provision in an order for combining in one probation area (in this Act referred to as “the inner London probation area”) all of the F2petty sessions areas falling wholly or partly within the inner London area; and

b

may make provision in an order for including in the inner London probation area F2any other petty sessions area.

4

An order may contain such incidental and consequential provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be expedient.

5

Any magistrates’ courts committee may submit proposals for an order to the Secretary of State, who shall consider any such proposals.

6

In this section “an order” means an order under subsection (1).