HC Deb 26 June 1989 vol 155 cc336-7W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how his Department monitors the performance of employment training managers in terms of financial viability and efficiency.

Mr. Nicholls

Employment training managers are monitored in terms of financial viability under the financial appraisal and monitoring (FAM) procedures which have their origins in the recommendations of the 1984 Coopers and Lybrand report on financial controls for YTS and the community programme. The arrangements introduced for ET were modelled on those for YTS. The FAM system centres on(a) an annual financial viability assessment of the degree of risk which a provider represents to public money; (b) an appraisal of the providers' administrative and financial systems to ensure the proper handling of public money and the reasonableness of providers' financial claims; and (c) financial monitoring visits linked to the degree of risk.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how his Department initially satisfies itself that a training manager is competent to run employment training.

Mr. Nicholls

Potential training managers are asked by the Department's area office to submit a formal training proposal outlining what experience and capability they have in operating as training providers. These proposals are appraised by the area office staff to ensure, so far as is practicable, that the organisation has the knowledge and professional ability to deliver training of the appropriate quality and has adequate resources including premises and equipment, to deliver it effectively.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of training managers by Training Agency area are receiving subsidies.

Mr. Nicholls

In addition to the basic grant for employment training, training managers, a range of other grants is available to purchase training. No subsidies are offered to ET training managers.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what subsidies are offered to ET training managers above the basic grant per trainee.

Mr. Nicholls

ET training managers do not receive subsidies. Grants are available to purchase training.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what audit procedures the Training Agency undertakes with respect to ET managers.

Mr. Nicholls

Claims for training grants submitted by ET training managers are subject to financial checks both within Training Agency area offices and at the training managers' premises. Training managers' claims are also subject to audit by the Training Agency internal audit branch and the National Audit Office on a sample basis.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training mangers have(a) withdrawn or (b) been withdrawn from employment training; and how many employment training places have been lost as a result.

Mr. Nicholls

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.