HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 cc776-7W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the benefits of aligning the levies for the CITB and the ECITB. [5843]

John Healey

I do not believe there is any basis for aligning the levies of the CITB and the ECITB. It is for each board, in consultation with the employers in its industry, to propose its own levy arrangements, including the rate of levy. These proposals are, subject to the approval of Ministers and Parliament. The levy rate must reflect the board's general policy and plans for training in the industry and the costs of those plans. Just as the plans of each board will vary, so also will the levy rate.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received from tool hire companies regarding the CITB requiring them to pay the CITB levy. [5844]

John Healey

I have received representations from 21 companies in the plant and tool hire sector.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will review the operation of the CITB levy in order to identify if there are operations which are required to pay the levy but do not qualify for benefits. [5845]

John Healey

I have just approved the new CITB grants scheme which will operate from 1 August 2001. This will include grants for all types of training, including management and IT, identified in individual company training plans. All construction employers who train should benefit from the new scheme.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the CITB levy raised is spent on training provision within tool hire companies. [5846]

John Healey

In 2000, companies involved in the plant and tool hire sector paid around £1.8 million in levy to the CITB and those who trained and claimed grants received direct financial support from the board of around £2.2 million. This equated to 2.57 per cent. of the board's total levy income. In addition to direct grants the CITB maintains substantial plant training facilities in four locations throughout the UK, sets standards to help raise skill levels in the industry, offers advice to companies on training and administers a certification scheme for plant operators on behalf of the industry.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received from companies paying the levy regarding the forthcoming review of the CITB levy. [5847]

UK domiciled students1 studying in higher education institutions in Wales
Postgraduates Undergraduates Total
All years First years All years First years All years First years
1996–97 10,955 6,434 67,521 29,801 78,476 36,235
1997–98 11,182 5,729 68,807 28,655 79,989 34,384
1998–99 11,027 6,418 70,038 29,637 81,065 36,055
1999–2000 11,451 6,699 71,357 30,807 82,808 37,506
2000–012 12,465 7,237 72,803 32,707 85,268 39,944
1Full-time and part-time students, as at 1 December
2Provisional