§ Lembit ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on how schools are marking Holocaust Memorial Day. [31154]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Home Office is the Government Department with responsibility for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2002. It is working with a number of Government Departments and organisations on the preparations for the day. The Department for Education and Skills is a strong supporter of the day.
This Department produced an education pack for all schools to support last year's Holocaust Memorial Day. Nearly 40,000 packs were sent out. New resources for schools to commemorate the day in 2002 have been developed which compliment last year's education pack. This year's resources—in the form of 12 flashcards—reflect the theme of Britain and the Holocaust. The cards highlight case studies of individuals affected by the Holocaust. Schools will be using this material in assemblies, in the classroom, and through exhibitions for their schools and their communities.
The resources have been produced by an education working group of experts on the Holocaust, racism, and education, from bodies such as the Wiener Library, the Imperial War Museum, the Holocaust Education Trust and the London Jewish Culture Centre. I am grateful for their continued support and dedication to this work.