HC Deb 05 December 1972 vol 847 c359W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the need for thalidomide children to be assessed early regarding their employment prospects, if he is satisfied with the liaison which has taken place between his Department and all thalidomide children regarding their employment prospects; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Yes. The youth employment service, for which my Department has overall responsibility, is charged with providing advice and guidance to all young people. Careers officers are involved at all stages of secondary education, and it is the policy of my Department to stress the importance, especially in the case of handicapped young people, of adequate vocational guidance at an early stage and of early consultation between school authorities and careers officers.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will establish a small special department to make advanced preparation for the employment of thalidomide children.

Mr. Dudley Smith

No, I do not think this is required. As with other substantially handicapped young people, the youth employment service, for which the Department of Employment has overall responsibility, will offer advice and vocational guidance to thalidomide children, and the full range of my Department's services for the disabled, including training, will be available to them when they leave school and enter the employment field.