HC Deb 07 April 1977 vol 929 c671W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that universities which offer bedroom accommodation to paying guests, in competition with hotels and boardinghouses, are required to pay levy to the HCITB.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that authority requiring employers to pay levy to an industry training board is vested in boards by the provisions of the Industrial Training Act 1964 as amended and legislation arising from that Act. The Act enables training boards to exercise their powers in relation to activities of industry or commerce. The offering of bedroom accommodation to paying guests by a university is considered to be a minor activity of an educational institution and educational institutions are not considered to be engaged in an activity of industry or commerce. Universities are not therefore required to pay levy to the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board or any other.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if universities offering bedroom accommodation to paying guests are subject to the regulations of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act in the same way as are hotels and boarding-houses.

Mr. John Grant

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies to all work activities, including the provision of bedroom accommodation to paying guests by universities.