HC Deb 18 December 1984 vol 70 cc116-7W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are taken by the Manpower Services Commission to liaise with those industrial training associations which have replaced training boards, now abolished, over matters relating to training content, work place supervision, and levy on grant arrangements; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Manpower Services Commission maintains contact with training organisations, which replaced industrial training boards, through appointed liaison officers, and by regular provision of information on training issues, national training policies and publicly-funded training assistance. These contacts also provide opportunities for consultation and discussion. Such bodies of course do not have a statutory right to impose levy on their members.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether Manpower Services Commission area boards have introduced arrangements to pay grants direct to individual firms, thereby bypassing industrial training associations; and whether he will discuss with the chairman whether the practice should continue.

Mr. Peter Morrison

As set out in the White Paper, "Training For Jobs" (Cmnd. 9135), the adult training strategy aims to improve and strengthen opportunities for meeting the needs of local industry and commerce. This will include provision of publicly funded local training grants available via Manpower Services Commission area offices. A limited number of pilot schemes are being run in the 1984–85 financial year.

Grant schemes which meet nationally identified priorities, such as computer and other priority skills training, continue to be available to employers through industry training organisations. In cases where companies approaching Manpower Services Commission area offices for local grant aid appear eligible for such national grants, they are first invited to contact the appropriate industry training organisation.