The chairman of the National Training Board (NTB) admitted last night that he was in the dark about an internal investigation into alleged financial irregularities — and so did the civil servant at the centre of the inquiry.

NTB chairman Herman Tucker told The Royal Gazette <$>he had received “no communication on that whatsoever” from Government, which launched the probe into the quango two months ago. He would not comment on whether he had attempted to find out what was happening.

Mr. Tucker also revealed that he had not been informed by Government that the NTB had been made the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, rather than Education.

Michael Stowe, the NTB’s executive officer, who was placed on administrative leave in September pending the outcome of the inquiry, told this newspaper that he knew no more about it now than he did eight weeks ago and had not been contacted by anyone from Government.

A Government spokesman confirmed last night that the NTB now fell under Labour’s remit but did not provide an update on the financial investigation.

Mr. Tucker said: “I don’t know anything about the investigation. It’s being driven by the Civil Service.”

He confirmed that a female NTB employee had also been placed on administrative leave and added: “I’m very concerned. Mr. Stowe is not at work. Right now we are carrying on business as best as we can but Mr. Stowe is obviously a key player.”

Mr. Stowe, who has held the executive officer post for six years, said: “I know absolutely no more about this issue than I did eight weeks ago. It’s beyond me what’s going on right now and when I can expect any kind of resolution to the issue.

“Since the time I have been off...I have heard absolutely nothing. I have not been interviewed by anyone in the Government since then. I haven’t been interviewed for any investigative purpose.”

He added that he was not bothered by the fact that he had heard nothing in two months. “I have absolute confidence in the Civil Service review process,” he said.

The two men’s comments come just a day after the Government issued a press release revealing that five NTB students had returned to the Island from a polytechnic in Barbados because, according to Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Rosemary Tyrrell, their marine diesel engineering course was “not quite ready”.

Mr. Tucker said he wasn’t aware of the press release but added that the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic — where 12 other NTB students are currently studying - wasn’t “100 percent ready” to run the course.

“We are in discussions with Samuel Jackman about going forward with them and their state of readiness,” he said, adding that the five students were now working on the Island but that places had been secured for them at other overseas institutions.

“It’s unfortunate that it happened but there are a lot of success stories with our students there.”

Mr. Tucker said he was not concerned that the NTB - a committee of Government currently helping about 85 students receive technical and vocation training - had moved to Labour, which was where it began in 1997.

The Government spokesman was asked for information on the NTB investigation yesterday morning and on Wednesday morning.

At 5.34 p.m. yesterday he responded by email, explaining that he could not answer the question and it should be directed to the public affairs officer for Labour. That officer said last night that no one was available to comment.

Labour Minister Derrick Burgess last night said responsibility for the NTB had just been passed to his department. He said he had no comment at this stage when asked about the inquiry.