§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of his Department's publications have been available in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print in each year since 1992; and what percentage of the total number of publications this represents in each case. [7642]
§ Dr. HowellsTo identify and list publications that have been produced in these three formats within separate years would be very time consuming and possible only at disproportionate cost.
At the present time, the Department has approximately 3,290 separate publications available. Of these 72 are available in Braille, 56 in audio tape; and 19 in large print. Therefore 2 per cent. of the total are available in Braille, 1.7 per cent. in audio tape and 0.6 per cent. in large print.
43WIn recent years the Department's policy has been to make publications that will be of very wide public interest available in formats that are suitable for people with visual impairments. This will continue.