HC Deb 16 February 1993 vol 219 cc266-7
Mr. Dobson

I beg to move amendment No. 84, in page 48, line 8, at end insert— '(1A) In exercising his functions under subsection (11) the Secretary of State shall meet the requirements of disabled persons or persons having learning difficulties.'

Madam Deputy Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to consider amendment No. 85, in page 48, line 31, at end insert— '(3A) For the purposes of this section a disabled person is defined in section 1 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, and persons having learning difficulties as defined under section 120, subsections (11) and (12), of the Education Reform Act 1988.'.

Mr. Dobson

I do not want to detain the House unduly, but it is an important principle that if the Government are to privatise the schools careers service they should write into law requirements to meet the particular needs of disabled persons, or persons with learning difficulties. The Government do not want to accept our amendment at this stage, but I should like an undertaking from them that they will reconsider the issue and possibly table amendments in the other place.

Mr. McLoughlin

We have covered some of the points raised by the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues in Committee. I understand the hon. Gentleman's concern about the amendment. I think that we have the powers to deal with the matter. However, I take on board the point made by the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends, and also the representations that have been put to me by my hon. Friends. I very much hope that we can come to an agreement. I hope, too, that, even though we cannot accept the amendment, we shall be able to satisfy the hon. Gentleman by means of orders and the way that we implement the changes.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the way he has responded to the sensible points that have been made by the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) in trying to meet the requirements of disabled people, or people with learning difficulties. I understand why it is not possible to debate my suggestion that there should be an annual report from the careers service in its new form. If that point could be discussed in another place, it would be possible to consider how the careers service would want to adapt to the changing situation. This, however, is not the time to do that.

Mr. Dobson

I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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