HC Deb 29 January 1970 vol 794 cc1709-10
36. Sir B. Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity which of the industrial training boards have incurred a deficit on their annual income and expenditure accounts; and if she will state the amounts and the years concerned.

Mr. Dell

I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

Is the Minister of State satisfied with the efficiency of the financial management of these boards?

Mr. Dell

If the hon. Gentleman will bring to my attention any case which troubles him, I will certainly look into it.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that while the concept of the Industrial Training Act is good, there is a growing impression that it is not being property managed? Is he further aware that there is a general feeling that some training is going on merely to qualify for grant and that it is not really necessary?

Mr. Dell

I remind the hon. Gentleman that this Act was introduced by his hon. Friends. I would have thought that an important result of the Act, as administrated by this Government, has been the significant improvement in the quality of industrial training in this country.

Following is the information:

Industrial Training Board
Deficit year ended 31st March
1965 (5 Boards in operation) £
Wool (now Wool, Jute and Flax) 2,566
1966 (13 Boards)
Carpet 428
Engineering 446,344
1967 (18 Boards)†
Carpet 12,453
Ceramics, Glass and Mineral Products 81,525
Cotton and Allied Textiles 3,067
Electricity Supply 4,493
Hotel and Catering 1,303
Knitting, Lace and Net 36,826
Man-Made Fibres Producing 1,176
Water Supply 53,861
Wool, Jute and Flax 65,757
1968 (21 Boards)
Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry 62,582
Construction 7,348,907*
Furniture and Timber 294,388*
Iron and Steel 656,803*
Rubber and Plastics Processing 2,814
Water Supply 193,048
1969 (26 Boards)
Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry 309,208
Ceramics, Glass and Mineral Products 136,241*
Construction 8,726,000
Engineering 635,332*
Food, Drink and Tobacco 2,610
Furniture and Timber 307,494
Gas 170,216*
Iron and Steel 240,808*
Knitting, Lace and Net 145,356*
Paper and Paper Products 4,400
Road Transport 2,518,393
Shipbuilding 42,918*
† Revised figures used from the accounts for year ended 31st March, 1968.
* These deficits were designed to offset surpluses in previous years. The Boards concerned were not carrying net liabilities at the dates shown.