§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff training conferences have been planned by his Department for the foreseeable future; what is the planned subject for discussion at each of them; where they are to be held; and what is the estimated cost of each one in terms of (a) travelling allowances, (b) accommodation expenses, (c) salaries and allowances paid to participants for their time and (d) salaries and fees paid to lecturers and course organisers.
§ Mr. MasonThe information requested is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort. However, it is expected that the existing pattern of Civil Service training will continue, subject to the availability of resources and the need for economy in Government expenditure. The cost-effectiveness of training programmes is kept under continuous review.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff training conferences have been organised 766W have supplied the information in respect of their estimated gross current expenditure and this relates to the university financial year ending 31st July 1977. In respect of the other institutions the information relates to the financial year ending 31st March 1977. As requested, the information on per capita costs has been related to full-time students only, but it should be noted that a considerable number of part-time students are also enrolled in these institutions.
by his Department during each of the last five years; when they were held; and how much each cost in terms of (a) travelling expenses, (b) accommodation expenses, (c) salaries and allowances paid to the participants for their time and (d) salaries and fees paid to the lecturers and conference organisers.
§ Mr. MasonThe full information requested cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort. United Kingdom civil servants within my Department attend training courses organised centrally by the Civil Service Department and a number of other Departments. During the last academic year, 127 staff attended such courses. The Northern Ireland Civil Service organises its own training programmes, and courses are mounted in a wide variety of relevant subjects. The number of courses provided, and the total number of participants, in each of the last five years are as follows:
767W
Courses held Participants 1971–72 … … 510 5,550 1972–73 … … 660 8,238 1973–74 … … 825 8,550 1974–75 … … 849 10,610 1975–76 … … 1,071 11,710 Travelling expenses, allowances to participants, accommodation expenses and salaries and fees paid to lecturers and course organisers are all within the limits laid down in the appropriate Civil Service regulations.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to devising less costly methods of effectively and efficiently training staff; and whether consideration will now be given to the use of printed material and correspondence courses instead of residential conferences.
§ Mr. MasonAll departments for which I have overall responsibility continually endeavour to ensure that the most cost-effective methods are used in the training of their staff, including self-instruction in appropriate circumstances.