§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet completed his discussions with the Trades Union Congress about the level of public subsidisation of shop steward training in 1980–81; if so, when he did so; and what is the agreed amount.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend wrote to the TUC on 7 January saying that the Government were unable to agree to its requests for an increase in real terms in the grant paid jointly by his Department and the Department of Employment and for a capital grant towards the cost of its proposed national centre for trade union education, but offering to maintain grant at its current real value for a further year. The TUC accepted that offer and my right hon. and learned Friend has today written to it confirming that the amount for 1980–81 will, therefore be £1.674 million, an increase of some 15 per cent. on this year's figure of £1.455 milion.