§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 586, if he will list the action taken by his Department to ensure that there is no discrimination against trainees with disabilities; and if he plans to introduce further legislative protection for trainees who suffer unjustifiable discrimination on the grounds of disability.
Mr. JacksonThere is a range of measures to enable people with disabilities to benefit from Government training programmes. For example young people with disabilities remain eligible for a guaranteed place on youth training beyond 18 if their availability for YT has been delayed by the effects of their disability or health problem.
From April 1991 people with disabilities regardless of the length of time they had been unemployed, were included in the Government's aim group that offers a place on either ET, EAS at a job club or on the job interview guarantee programme.
People with disabilities can be supplied with appropriate facilities and support to enable them to join youth training and employment training and to pursue suitable training. This covers such items as adaptations to premises, special aids and equipment.
591WTraining and enterprise councils are required to set out in their corporate and business plans how they intend to meet the training needs of people with disabilities. These plans form the basis of their contract with this Department.
We have no plans to introduce further legislative protection for trainees.