§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the conditions of contract for the management of the underwater training centre (Fort William).
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 78], gave the following answer:
1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b) Executive … … … … … 4 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 1 1 Secretarial … … … … … 5 1 3 3 3 1 2 2 1 1 Diving … … … … … 8 0 3 1 2 3 2 4 3 2 Maintenance … … … … … 3 0 4 2 5 3 3 4 3 3 Others … … … … … 4 0 0 1 4 4 3 3 0 0 (a) Engagements. (b) Terminations.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Manpower Services Commission authorised the transfer of the underwater training centre (Fort William) management contract from the Shenley Trust to a private company, Shenley Trust Services—originally Emery and Emery.
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970. c. 78], gave the following answer:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the project management contract for the underwater training centre remains with Shenley Trust Ltd. and has not been transferred. However, with the agreement of the MSC, Shenley Trust Ltd. delegated in 1976 the day-to-day management of the centre to Shenley Trust Services Ltd. under the continuing direction of the board of control. The board approves the centre's operating plans and budgets; its members are appointed by the MSC and include nominees of the MSC and Shenley Trust Ltd.
138WI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that this is a commercial contract negotiated under the previous Administration and as the hon. Member will know it is not policy to publish such contracts.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the turnover of staff at each grade of employment at the Underwater Training Centre (Fort William) for each year since 1978.
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 78], gave the following answer:
This is essentially a management matter. However, I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the turnover of staff at the underwater training centre for each year since 1975 is:
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Manpower Services Commission requires the accounts of the underwater training centre to be audited; what audits have taken place; and what change, if any, has taken place following the transfer of the management contract from the Shenley Trust to the private company Shenley Trust Services—originally Emery and Emery.
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970. c. 78], gave the following answer:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the accounts of the underwater training centre have been audited by a firm of chartered accountants at the end of each financial year since 1975–76. In addition, an audit of the centre was carried out in 1976 and again in 1978 by exchequer and audit department.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what funds have been made available by the Manpower 139W Services Commission to the Shenley Trust or to Shenley Trust Services for the management and establishment of the underwater training centre (Fort William) in each year since 1975.
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979, Vol. 970, c. 78], gave the following answer:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the following sums amounting to £2,139,400 have been paid since 1975 to Shenley Trust Ltd., in respect of establishment and management costs:
Financial Year £ ,000 1975–76 … … … … 1,309.0 1976–77 … … … … 414.3 1977–78 … … … … 155.2 1978–79 … … … … 260.9
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what machinery exists for the monitoring of the activities of the underwater training centre (Fort William).
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979, Vol. 970, c. 78], gave the following answer:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the standards of training given for air and mixed gas diving courses are monitored through the national system of certification for trainee divers. Under this scheme the training arrangements are inspected annually by staff of the Manpower Services Commission and the Health and Safety Executive and are approved subject to any recommendations necessary to conform to agreed national standards of safety and training. Such recommendations are sent in writing to the chief diving instructor at the underwater training centre. Also, a Manpower Services Commission training adviser visits each course on completion to examine the standards achieved before certificates of qualification are issued.
In addition, the underwater training centre board of control, appointed by the Manpower Services Commission, meets quarterly to monitor the financial expenditure and general progress of the centre and to approve the development and operating plans and budgets.
140W
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute an immediate inquiry into the standard of training and safety standards of the underwater training centre (Fort William).
§ Mr. Jim Lester,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9 July 1979; Vol. 970. c. 78], gave the following answer:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that an immediate inquiry into the standard of training given at the underwater training centre is unnecessary. The commission is satisfied that the training given conforms to the published standards drawn up by the commission after consultation with the diving industry.
I am also informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the underwater training centre is subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. The health and safety of all divers at the centre is monitored by diving safety specialists of the Health and Safety Executive supported by diving inspectors of the petroleum engineering division of the Department of Energy which deals with offshore diving interests. Both the Health and Safety Executive and Department of Energy are represented on the advisory board to the board of control of the underwater training centre and on the Manpower Services Commission approval teams which make the annual inspection of the underwater training centre.
The Centre is thus subjected to a periodic review of all training practices to ensure that they are safe so far as is reasonably practical.