Education and Training Costs (Hansard, 13 May 1980)

§ Mr. Humphrey Atkins

[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 46]: The cost of training both industrial and non-industrial employees in the Departments under my direction and control is estimated at some £1.9 million in the financial year ended 31 March 1980. This covers training within the Departments, at the Civil Service College and externally. It includes basic staff and students' costs and allowances paid for travel and subsistence and so on where this information is readily available.

In addition, the Northern Ireland Department of Manpower Services estimates that some £29 million was spent in the financial year 1979–80, on the training costs of the various Government training centres, the youth opportunities programme and on grants for training by employers, industrial training boards and so on.

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The Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services makes provision for education and training in the health services and personal social services. Details are included in the Supply Estimates for Northern Ireland (Class IX, Vote 1, Section B).

The Northern Ireland Department of Education makes provision for schools—not independents—universities, further education, teacher training, student support and administration. Details are included in the Supply Estimates for Northern Ireland (Class VIII, Votes 1, 2 and parts of 3 and 4).

The Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture makes provision for its three agricultural colleges, the faculty of agriculture and food science at Queen's University, Belfast, and operates an agricultural training scheme. Details are included in the Supply Estimates for Northern Ireland (Class I, Vote 1).

The Northern Ireland Office estimates that some £0.2 million was spent in 1979–80 on training within the probation and prison services.

I am unable to provide an estimate of the cost of education and training undertaken by private industry.