§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General how many disabled people have (a) applied for and (b) received career development loans in each of the four pilot areas since their introduction.
§ Mr. TrippierNo information is available as applicants do not have to declare whether they are disabled as a condition of receiving the career development loan. Evaluation of these pilot experiments will include a follow up of successful and unsuccessful applicants and will seek more detailed information about personal characteristics, including disablement.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General if he intends to take steps to introduce training for banking staff to equip them to decide whether an applicant is suitable for a career development loan and, in particular, training taking account of the special needs of disabled people.
§ Mr. TrippierNo. All applicants are provided with guidance intended to help them decide whether a career development loan would be the best way to improve their employment prospects. A checklist suggests that health and any disabilities should be taken into account when choosing a course. Bank staff assess only eligibility and, taking account of the Government assistance available, the applicant's ability to repay the loan.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General if those organisations which provide training under the career development loans scheme will be given any guidance in assessing the needs of disabled people who apply for courses organised by them and in dealing with their special training requirements.
§ Mr. TrippierThe disablement advisory service of the Manpower Services Commission provides assistance to all560W training organisations which seek guidance about special needs of disabled people who apply for courses, whether or not the trainees in question are financed through career development loans.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the progress of the career development loans scheme; what action he is taking to assist disabled people to benefit from it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI am encouraged by the response so far. Career development loans make it easier for people, including those with a disability, to borrow money for training of their choice. The disablement advisory service of the Manpower Services Commission is aware of the experiment and will be drawing the possibilities to the attention of disabled people in the four pilot areas of Aberdeen, Bristol/Bath, Greater Manchester and Reading/Slough whenever it thinks it appropriate to do so.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General how many people have (a) applied for and (b) received career development loans in each or the four pilot areas since their introduction.
§ Mr. TrippierParticipating banks notify my Department only when an application has been accepted or rejected. Since the launch on 15 April the following notifications have been received:
(a) (b) Applications Approvals Aberdeen 4 4 Bristol and Bath 0 0 Manchester 10 1 Reading and Slough 3 2 Total 17 7