§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the criteria by which civil servants are financed by his Department for courses and related expenses that are not connected with their departmental employment. [109216]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 8 February 2000]: The Department's present policy is to delegate the majority of its budget for training and development to local management units which are accountable for the use to which their resources are put.
I have recently instigated a review of the guidance to managers to ensure value for money and that the training budget meets Departmental needs.