§ Mr. Marplesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what external procurement courses are attended by Government procurement officers; what are their duration; and how many of the present staff have attended courses in the last three years.
§ Mr. TaverneSome 90 different kinds of external courses have been attended by approximately 1,000 Government procurement staff in the last three years. Their duration varies from half a day to 65 days; some involve day release over one academic year. They cover a wide range of subjects including value engineering; critical path analysis; quality control and inspection; the use of computers; production; cost estimating, cost control and accounting; contract law; the use of incentives in purchasing; project and general management; and many related technical subjects like developments in electronics, 295W textiles, plastics and scientific instruments.
§ Mr. Marplesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what internal training courses for procurement officers in the Civil Service, of what duration, have been held in the past three years; how many of the present staff, by numbers and grades, have attended such courses; and what contribution has been made by British and American consultants to the training courses held.
§ Mr. TaverneThirty-five kinds of internal training courses lasting from one to 15 days have been held covering a wide range of subjects such as project management; general management and supervision; use of computers, inspection and testing; technical costing, cost control and accountancy; contract law; and general contracting and procurement. The following staff have attended these courses in the last three years:
Engineer I 77 Engineer II 111 Engineer III 171 Technical I 168 Technical II 441 Technical III 224 Technical IV 25 Technical Assistant 18 Chief Accountant 6 Senior Accountant 2 Draughtsman 4 Assistant Draughtsman 1 Various professional and technical grades 70 Senior Chief Executive Officers (and above) 76 Chief Executive Officer 21 Senior Executive Officer 166 Higher Executive Officer 728 Executive Officer 529 Clerical Grades 858 TOTAL 3,696 British consultants have contributed to the planning and running of management courses and seminars at two Departments; industrial buyers give periodic talks at a third. A firm of American consultants provides a series of courses and seminars in contracts, costing and project management.