To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was or is the planned expenditure for Scotland at 1990–91 prices for training in 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94;(2) expressed in 1990–91 prices, what was or will he the combined budget for expenditure in Scotland by the Scottish Development Agency, Highlands and Islands Development Board and Training Agency or successor bodies in 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92;(3) what the expenditure in 1988–89 on the Scottish Development Agency, Highlands and Islands Development Board and Training Agency or their successor bodies would be in 1991–92, expressed in 1990–91 prices.

[holding answer 10 December 1990]: Expenditure on training by the Training Agency in Scotland has not been planned separately prior to 1991–92. The only indentifiable figures relating to training by the Training Agency in Scotland for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are figures in the supply estimates for the training programmes, Scotland vote (class XV, vote 4) which covers the contribution made by the Industry Department for Scotland towards the expenditure borne on class VI, vote 1 of the Department of Employment in relation to training activities in Scotland.This provision is intended to reflect that part of the cost of the Department of Employment's training programme for Scotland which can be separately identified. However, it is not a reliable guide to actual expenditure by the Training Agency in relation to its activities in Scotland. Subject to this caveat, the figures are as follows:

Year	£ million at 1990–91 prices
1989–90	298·8
1990–91	267·3

These figures are not directly comparable with provision for expenditure on training by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in connection with training activity in 1991–92 and future years. 1991–92 is the first year for which it will be possible to identify an accurate figure for central Government expenditure in connection with training activity in Scotland.The component parts of the grant-in-aid for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for 1991–92 which will be devoted to such activity are still under discussion with them; and will be reflected in due course in the grant-in-aid tables in the supply estimates for the regional and general industrial supports, Scotland vote (class XV, vote 3). However, it is possible now to identify that proportion of the public expenditure provision for 1991–92 which has been transferred to the Scotland programme from the employment programme. That figure is £239·5 million at 1990–91 prices. Comparable figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 will be published, on a cash basis, in due course in the departmental report.The difficulties referred to above have implications for the validity of any comparisons which combine figures for the Training Agency with those relating to the Scottish Development Agency and the Highlands and Islands Development Board. Subject to this important proviso, the information sought is set out in the table:

	£ million
1988–89	447·8
1989–90	515·8
1990–91	494·9
1991–92	463·7