§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will examine the relationship between the total expenditure on administration in 1970–71 and the expenditure on training that year in respect of the catering and man-made fibres industry training boards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HowellThe proportion of levy devoted by a training board to administration depends largely on whether the board operates an extensive grants scheme. Where the circumstances of a particular industry make such a scheme unnecessary, the levy is low and the funds are devoted to direct training services and the administration of the board.
The man-made fibres industry training board does not operate a grants system. The catering industry training board concentrates on direct training activity.
Since the administration of all the industry training boards is carried out by a central body, variations in proportionate costs of administration do not represent variations in administrative efficiency.