HC Deb 13 July 1987 vol 119 cc703-4
98. Mr. Rowe

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the quality and quantity of training for civil servants.

Mr. Luce

Yes, Sir. On quality, our new programmes for senior staff and our plans for young people demonstrate that the Government are committed to high-quality training and development which improves operational performance. Quantity depends on need and relevance. In 1985–86 the Civil Service ran 35,000 training courses and provided 1.5 million training days, an average of three days' training for each civil servant.

Mr. Rowe

Is that not yet another example of the way in which the Government are taking the lead? Will my right hon. Friend turn his mind to considering the ways in which he could persuade industry and commerce, which are far behind our competitors in the quality and quantity of training provided to follow the Government's lead and, possibly, to share some of the resources?

Mr. Luce

I agree with my hon. Friend. One important part of our broad range of training schemes is that we are trying to convey to the Civil Service the importance of carrying managerial responsibility, and we are more and more delegating responsibility through the financial management initiative. Our training schemes are designed to assist in that. Certainly the link with the private sector is of extreme importance.

Mr. Winnick

Are civil servants to be trained to decide which British residents arriving back from America or which American visitors coming to this country have a copy of Wright's book? As the book will be openly on sale in the United States within 24 hours, does the Minister agree that an interesting situation will arise when people can bring that book, openly and legally, into Britain?

Mr. Luce

We have more important things to discuss in relation to training.

Mr. Thurnham

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the strike by civil servants in Bolton over the introduction of YTS trainees? Will he consider ways in which the Civil Service could introduce more YTS trainees, as has the private sector?

Mr. Luce

My hon. Friend is right. The YTS is as important for the Civil Service as for anywhere else. Today, only 300 people are involved with the YTS in the Civil Service. However, the Department of Employment is taking a lead in extending the scheme. I am glad that there is an understanding between the Civil Service management and the unions on this matter.