§ Baroness FISHER of REDNALasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are able to report any progress as recommended in the Vernon Report 1972 that a further Vocational Assessment Centre for Visually Handicapped Young Adults be provided in addition to the centre at Heathersett and Birmingham.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in recent years increasing attention has been given to improving the provision for handicapped young people at employment rehabilitation centres. In particular there has been an increase in the number of Young People's Work Preparation Courses which cater for the needs of handicapped school leavers, including those who are visually handicapped. There are no plans at present for a separate vocational assessment centre as outlined by the Vernon Report.