§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by the Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale on 4 November 1999 (H.L. Deb., col. 1097): (a) what meetings have been held since that date between Ministers of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security to consider what help will be provided by the two departments for the training of disabled people to take up jobs in the tourism 54WA industry; and (b) what measures will be taken by the departments as a result of those meetings? [HL716]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)Since 4 November 1999, Ministers of the two departments have met regularly and are actively considering what help could be provided nationally through the New Deal for Disabled People taking account of emerging findings from the pilots. Ministers hope to make an announcement on this in the near future. In these meetings they have not discussed the tourism industry specifically. However, Ministers are aware of the importance of tourism to the economy of this country and the variety of employment opportunities available within the industry for disabled people, given the right level of training and support. Since the pilots began in autumn 1998, disabled people have found jobs in a wide range of industries, including tourism and other service industries