§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State For Employment if he has yet received and considered the request from the Distributive Industry Training Board for an increase in their current levy rate of 0.5 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BryanMy right hon. Friend has approved an increase in the rate of levy from 0.5 per cent. to 0.7 per cent. because the board is committed to a level of expenditure in 1971–72 on grants, training services and administration which would otherwise lead to a significant deficit on the year's operations. The board's new grants scheme has provisions to avoid further overspending and to leave a sufficient surplus of revenue over expenditure to clear the accumulated deficit.
To give effect to this decision, my right hon. Friend has made an Order—the Industrial Training Levy (Distribution Board) Order, 1971—which was laid before the House on 2nd August.