HC Deb 29 April 1993 vol 223 cc532-3W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions have been taken about the future status, funding and operation of the Agricultural Training Board following the consultation exercise that took place last month.

Mr. Gummer

[pursuant to his reply, Official Report, 1 April, col. 329]: The Government can now confirm their intention to replace the Agricultural Training Board with a non-statutory independent organisation. The target date for completing the change is 1 April next year.

The new arrangements will free the successor body to the board from the constraints that statutory control imposes and allow it to expand commercially, so that it can offer training services on a fully commercial basis to a wider range of land-based and rural businesses. The new body will work closely with the other agencies and organisations operating in rural areas, particularly the Rural Development Commission and training and enterprise councils in England and Wales and the local enterprise companies in Scotland. The successor body will continue to service the agricultural and horticultural industries, but this change will also allow it to develop and provide services to organisations operating in areas such as the countryside and environmental management.

As I have already announced, the Government will continue to make a substantial contribution to the new organisation's finances, through a contract with the ATB successor body for the provision of specific services, initially covering the period to March 1996. Government objectives will be reviewed before the end of this first contract period and any changes will be reflected in any succeeding contract. Subsequent changes to funding levels will also have regard to the commercial revenue generated by the successor body.

I have asked Mr. Andy Stewart, the ATB's current chairman, to lead the development of the successor body. He will be supported by a group of senior industry representatives from Scotland, England and Wales who have agreed to act as directors of the successor bodyy and to work closely with the existing board members during the changeover period.

I have every confidence in the ATB successor body's ability to make the most of the opportunities that this new freedom presents to respond to the needs of the industries that it will serve.