HC Deb 13 May 1982 vol 23 cc327-8W
Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much public money has been invested in the Petroleum Industry Training Board.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Between April 1975 and March 1982 the Manpower Services Commission financed the board's operating costs and grants to employers totalling some £5.2 million. In addition, the MSC made available £318,000 towards setting up the drilling and technology training centre at Montrose.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which will be the validating body on the abolition of the Petroleum Industry Training Board for the credentials of key personnel such as firefighters.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Petroleum Industry Training Board is not being abolished. It will continue, where appropriate, to offer and certify training in firefighting at its Montrose training centre for sectors being taken out of its scope. The Engineering Industry Training Board is prepared to authorise suitably qualified staff in voluntary training organisations to validate engineering training in such sectors and will offer a validation service on a fee-paying basis.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated value of the assets of the Petroleum Industry Training Board; and what part of those assets is represented by the board's investments at Montrose.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At 31 March 1982, the estimated value of the board's current assets was £1,487,838 and the fixed assets £1,397,040. Of these sums the Montrose centre accounted for £1,014,780—current—and £1,333,981—capital.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how he proposes to dispose of the assets of Petroleum Industry Training Board; and to what extent he intends to seek the recovery of public investment in those assets.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Petroleum Industry Training Board will be expected to apply a proportion of its assets towards the costs resulting from the proposed reduction in its scope as well as operating costs in 1982–83 attributable to the sectors coming out of its scope, with the Exchequer meeting any deficit remaining. Discussions on the appropriate proportion are not yet complete.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what voluntary arrangements have been established to replace the Petroleum Industry Training Board; and to what extent the employers and trade unions in the industry have accepted the voluntary arrangements as a satisfactory alternative.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Onshore Employers Association has set up the Petroleum Training Federation to meet the training needs of the downstream onshore sector and the indications are that the federation has wide support from employers. We are not aware of any trade union response. The federation has stated that it hopes to keep trade union involvement through well established local consultative arrangements. Discussions are taking place about voluntary arrangements to cover upstream activities onshore.