HC Deb 24 June 1994 vol 245 cc353-4W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much of the Barnsley/Doncaster training and enterprise council's budget for(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 was devoted to the development of (i) self-employed businesses and (ii) new businesses.

Miss Widdecombe

In 1993–94, of the total training and enterprise council budget for Barnsley and Doncaster, business start-up accounted for 14.1 per cent. of expenditure. The planned expenditure for 1994–95 is 10.9 per cent. of the total TEC budget.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the information he receives from the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC about the operation of local enterprise companies; and what plans he has to increase the information available to him.

Miss Widdecombe

Training and enterprise councils do not provide information about the operation of local enterprise companies.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of his Department's staff who were seconded to the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC have taken advantage of the voluntary early retirement scheme while remaining in employment with the TEC; and at what cost to the voluntary early retirement scheme.

Miss Widdecombe

None.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many overseas persons are currently being trained under the auspices of the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC.

Miss Widdecombe

The training and enterprise council operating agreement precludes TECs from training overseas nationals who are subject to employment restrictions or to a time limit in their stay in Great Britain or both—other than refugees or asylum seekers.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions he has given to the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC in respect of when local enterprise companies may take steps to provide serviced sites.

Miss Widdecombe

Training and enterprise councils are not responsible for local enterprise companies.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made to the cost to public funds of the applicants of voluntary early retirement schemes to secondees from his Department to the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC, combined with the absence of a clawback mechanism for the former civil servants benefiting from the early retirement scheme but continuing in full-time employment with the TEC; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Widdecombe

There is no cost to public funds as I know of no such cases.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the companies used by the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC which are members of the Confederation of British Industry.

Miss Widdecombe

This information is not available.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each of the last five financial years the date on which the Barnsley/Doncaster training and enterprise council was notified of its yearly budget; when it actually received its funding; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Widdecombe

Training and enterprise councils are notified of their budgets after the public expenditure survey announcement each year. TECs are funded monthly in arrears in accordance with their agreed contract.