HC Deb 14 November 2000 vol 356 cc598-9W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what measures his Department is taking to publicise the Holocaust Memorial Day Education Pack; and if he will make a statement;. [137631]

(2) what measures his Department has taken to distribute copies of the Holocaust Memorial Day Education Pack to schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement;. [137632]

(3) what guidance his Department has issued to schools and colleges on how to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day; and if he will make a statement. [137633]

Jacqui Smith

The Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Education Pack was launched on 9 November as part of the build up to the Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. The Pack has been publicised through the Department's Spectrum publication which goes to all schools, and through the HMD website run by the Home Office.

The Pack has been produced by a working group of experts from non-government organisations who have a vast range of experience and knowledge in the area of holocaust education, including the Holocaust Education Trust who, on behalf of the working group, are making the Pack available to all schools. I am very grateful to all those organisations who have been involved in its production. Members of the national and community press, a number of survivors and representatives from those organisations involved in the Pack were present at the launch.

The Pack is a valuable cross-curricular resource and includes a number of suggestions for activities and assemblies to support the commemoration of the Memorial Day.