HC Deb 17 October 1995 vol 264 cc245-6W
Sir John Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many physically disabled people there are over(a) 18 and (b) 30 years of age currently engaged in higher or further education. [36141]

Mr. Forth

Provisional estimates for 1994–95 indicate that 44,200 students with all types of learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged 18 or over, were engaged in further education. Of these, 26,500 were aged 30 or over. Specific information on the numbers of students with physical disabilities is not collected centrally. Information on the numbers of such students in higher education is currently not held centrally.

Sir John Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects the Further Education Funding Council to publish a definitive policy for physically disabled students; and if she will make a statement on her policy in this area. [36140]

Mr. Forth

The Further Education Funding Council has established its learning difficulties and/or disabilities committee to advise the council on how it can best fulfil its legal responsibilities towards students with learning difficulties and disabilities. The committee will report to the FEFC in 1996. The FEFC has published its policy about provision for students with disabilities in a number of circulars.

The Government's policy is that learning difficulty or disability should not be a bar to access to further education. The provisions in education legislation governing further education for people with disabilities are comprehensive, covering the complementary responsibilities of the FEFC, local education authorities and educational institutions. They recognise the requirement to make available further education which is appropriate to the needs of individual students, in an accessible setting with associated support.

The Government plan to build on these provisions through the current Disability Discrimination Bill by placing a duty on the FEFC to require further education sector colleges, as a condition of grant, to produce disability statements outlining their provisions for disabled students. The FEFC will also be required annually to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on its progress to date and future plans for the provision of further education for students with disabilities.