§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many scholarships were awarded to Trading Standards professionals under the Department of Trade and Industry's Modernisation Fund in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and how many scholarships have been budgeted for (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004. [110419]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonAs part of the Modernisation Fund for consumer protection, extra funding has been provided to support the training and development of Trading Standards professionals by funding scholarships, which help local authorities increase the 387W number of staff they train. In 2001–02, 167 candidates were supported by scholarships, and in 2002–03, 216 candidates received funding.
£1 million has been made available in 2003–04 to continue to support the training of Trading Standards personnel.