HC Deb 13 May 1991 vol 191 cc51-2W
Mr. McMaster

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve vocational and non-vocational training for people with disabilities.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Our policies for community care and for improving vocational education and training for employment are all designed to address the needs of people with disabilities. The arrangements for community care, which will come fully into effect in 1993, include the assessment of individual needs which includes the provision of education and training opportunities for disabled people. Local enterprise companies are responsible for meeting the Government guarantee that all young people aged 16 and 17 years, including those with disabilities, who are not in employment or full-time education should receive an offer of a place on youth training. They are also responsible for meeting the Government's guarantee of a place on employment training for people aged 18 to 24 years who have been unemployed for six to 12 months and the Government's aim to give places on employment training to disabled people as a priority. Furthermore, on 21 March 1991 my right hon. Friend announced the Government's intention to transfer the funding of further education colleges to central Government in 1993, the benefits of which we expect to be shared by people with disabilities.

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