HC Deb 25 April 1969 vol 782 cc135-7W
Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will list for each county in Scotland the facilities provided which are additional to services in existence at the time of the inception of the Agricultural Training Board which the Board provides.

Mr. Hattersley

Separate information in respect of each county is not readily available. But for Scotland as a whole the Board has set up a Scottish Advisory Committee and provided an Advisory Service of seven training advisers together with a travelling instructor; financial support for training at the place of work, including group training; and financial support to enable the Scottish Apprenticeship Scheme to continue.

Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many courses were provided by the Agricultural Training Board in 1968; and how many of these were in Scotland.

Mr. Hattersley

In the period from January, 1968 to the end of February, 1969 the Board provided 461 training courses, and a further 504 courses were provided by local education authorities and other bodies in association with the Board. Out of the total of 965, 211 courses were held in Scotland: 166 were provided by the Board and the remaining 45 in association with the Board.

Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many skilled farm workers have become qualified instructors following courses of training by the Agricultural Training Board; and how many of these were trained in Scotland and work as instructors in Scotland, respectively.

Mr. Hattersley

By the end of March approximately 540 skilled workers had been trained as instructors. Of these, about 50 were trained in Scotland. So far as the Board is aware, they are working in Scotland.

Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what recent representations she has received about the financing of the Agricultural Training Board; and what reply she has sent.

Mr. Hattersley

The National Farmers' Union have informed me of the recent rejection by their Council of the proposal to finance the Board by deduction from the fertiliser subsidy. I am considering their suggestion that my Department might resume discussions on this and other matters affecting the Board.