HC Deb 15 April 1985 vol 77 cc51-2W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has recently received about the employment prospects of young deaf people; and what was the nature of his replies.

Mr. Alan Clark

Towards the end of last year my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for the disabled brought to my attention and to the attention of other Ministers with appropriate responsibilities the British Deaf Association's report entitled "Deaf Discrimination". I wrote to the general secretary of the British Deaf Association on 9 January about the report's comments on the employment prospects of deaf people, including young deaf people. In my letter, I said that I accepted that deaf people should have full access to training programmes designed to help improve people's employment prospects and pointed out the special arrangements which had been made on the youth training scheme to meet the needs of young deaf and other disabled people.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what studies have been made by his Department of the difficulties facing young deaf school leavers seeking employment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

My Department has not initiated or participated in any study concerned specifically with young deaf people. I am aware of a report produced by the British Deaf Association, entitled "Deaf Discrimination", which among other things comments on the difficulties facing young deaf school leavers seeking employment or wishing to participate in the youth training scheme. I wrote to the general secretary of the British Deaf Association on 9 January about the comments made in the report and invited the association to bring any particular difficulties concerning the youth training scheme to the attention of the Manpower Services Commission.

Mr Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if be will estimate the number of deaf people who are unemployed; and what proportion of them is aged 16 to 19 years.

Mr. Alan Clark

The information requested in not available.