§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS trainees were deaf in each of the last five years; and what percentage this represents of the total number of YTS employees in the given year.
§ Mr. CopeThe Manpower Services Commission keeps a record of the number of YTS trainees with disabilities, but these are not divided into different categories of disability. No figures are available therefore on the number or percentage of YTS trainees, past and present, who suffer from hearing impairments or deafness. However, in 1986 financial support was made available so that deaf trainees could benefit from the services of commentators. During 1986–87, 90 applications were approved, and 43 applications have been approved to date in this financial year.
§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS trainees who are deaf subsequently found work in each of the last five years; and how this compares with the job placement rate of other YTS trainees.
§ Mr. CopeThe Manpower Services Commission keeps a record of the number of YTS trainees with disabilities but these are not divided into different categories of disability. Therefore, there are no figures available on the numbers of YTS trainees who suffer from hearing impairments or deafness who found work after leaving YTS.