An investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the National Training Board (NTB) is almost complete, can reveal.

The probe was launched by the Accountant General?s office in September when the quangos executive officer Michael Stowe was placed on administrative leave, along with a female administrative assistant.

Robert Horton, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Labour, which recently took on responsibility for the NTB, said this week that the inquiry was in its final stages and that he was awaiting the results.

?The matter should be concluded very, very shortly,? he said. ?It is our expectation that the report will be completed and a decision taken very, very soon based on that report.?

Mr. Horton said the contents of the report would not be made public. He added that the decision as to whether Mr. Stowe and the female employee would return to work rested with him.

?Once the report is received I shall engage in consultation with the appropriate authorities and a decision will be taken and information communicated to the executive director, who is on administrative leave, and the other individual,? he said.

?In all fairness to the two individuals it must be resolved soon.?

Mr. Horton added that he met with NTB chairman Herman Tucker ? who revealed last week that he was in the dark about the progress of the inquiry ? on Monday to inform him of what was happening.

Mr. Tucker said last night he was pleased with the ?good news?.

?Obviously resolution is near,? he said. ?I spoke to Mr Horton and he said he was going to move on it fairly quickly. We just want resolution. That?s our position.?

Mr. Stowe, who has held the executive officer post for six years, said last week he had not been interviewed by anyone in Government in connection with the inquiry and did not know what was happening. He could not be contacted for comment yesterday.