§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of exemption from training board levy for the Foundry Industry Training Board; and what were the percentage increases in the average industrial wage and the increase in the exemptions from this training board levy since 1970.
§ Mr. Golding:I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that firms in the foundry industry can be exempted from payment of levy to the Foundry Industry Training Committee by virtue of their small size—exclusion—or of their training performance. Firms with an annual payroll above £25,000 pay 1 per cent. of it in levy; firms below that level do not pay levy. Whilst there are no firms fully exempted from levy as a result of their training performance, part-exemption was obtained by 941 firms out of an industry total of 1,418 in 753W 1976–77, in the form of "abatement" grants.
Levy year Exclusion level Number of firms excluded Total firms in industry Percentage excluded £ 1969–70 … … 7,500 305 1,553 19.6 1977–78 … … 25,000 357 1,404 25.4 The average industrial wage in the foundry industry has increased from £29.60 to £89 between 1970 and 1978, an increase of 200.7 per cent.