HC Deb 23 October 1968 vol 770 cc315-6W
Sir C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she is aware that only £7,000 has been spent up to March, 1968, on training grants out of a total expenditure of £556,000 of the Agricultural Training Board; and, in view of the continued opposition of the National Farmers' Union to this scheme, if she will wind it up and substitute a cheaper and more efficient scheme.

Mr. Hattersley

Most grant claims are made after the close of the training year, which ran until 31st August. For the year as a whole the Board expects grants to amount to about £200,000. On the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to my reply on 16th October to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten).—[Vol. 770, c.129–30.]