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Food Poisoning
Mr. Swinney: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Government will publish its response to the Pennington report on the recent outbreak of E. coli 0157; and if he will make a statement regarding any outstanding issues from his Department's previous consideration of the report. [3609]
Mr. Galbraith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to the hon. Member for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart) on 11 June, Official Report, column 440.
Service Personnel
Mr. Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of Scottish service men and service women normally resident in Scotland who are currently serving outside Scotland. [3197]
Mr. Spellar: I am replying as this is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Michael Fallon, dated 17 June 1997:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence requesting an estimate of the number of Scottish servicemen and servicewomen normally resident in Scotland who are currently serving outside Scotland since this falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Defence Analytical Services Agency.
Unfortunately, the information you require is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. I am sorry I could not be more helpful on this occasion.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Welfare to Work
Ms Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people he estimates will benefit from his welfare to work proposals in the constituency of Bolton, West. [3082]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the numbers who will benefit from the New Deal over the period of its implementation. All young people who are eligible, or who become so, will be offered opportunities to participate in a job, training or useful work experience.
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Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people aged between 18 and 24 years he estimates will benefit from his welfare to work proposals in the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Inverclyde; and if he will make a statement. [3462]
Mr. Howarth:
It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the numbers who will benefit from the New Deal over the period of its implementation. All young people who are eligible, or who become so, will be offered opportunities to participate in a job, training or useful work experience.
Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase employment for people with learning and physical disabilities; and if he will fund work schemes for such people. [3145]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
The Government are committed, in partnership with interested parties, to an equal opportunities policy which will improve employment opportunities for all disadvantaged groups including disabled people, regardless of the nature of their disability. It is our intention to establish comprehensive and enforceable civil rights legislation for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work. People with disabilities will also be afforded opportunities under employment and training initiatives, including our welfare to work proposals.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost to the Funding Agency for Schools of publishing Media Advice Notes for Schools; and if he will make a statement. [3674]
Mr. Byers:
This matter is the responsibility for the Funding Agency for Schools. I have asked the Chairman of the Funding Agency to arrange for a reply to be sent to the hon. Member.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he proposes to encourage unemployed people to pursue education and training courses without affecting their entitlement to the jobseeker's allowance; and if he will direct job centres to operate a more flexible approach. [3927]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
We will keep this issue under review as we develop our Welfare to Work reforms.
In April this year the Workskill Pilots were introduced in four areas to evaluate more flexible arrangements for people to undertake employment-related education and training while receiving the Jobseeker's Allowance. We will wish to evaluate carefully the outcome of the Pilots.
Mr. Willetts:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of
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10 June, Official Report, column 366, what estimates have been made to date of the costs of providing additional support to single parents at job centres. [3949]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
We are considering a number of alternatives as we develop our Welfare to Work plans. At this early stage it is not possible to give a firm estimate of the likely costs.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce compulsory swimming lessons and water survival skills in the curriculum. [4130]
Ms Estelle Morris:
Swimming is part of the National Curriculum for physical education for primary school pupils. It may be taught at either or both of the primary key stages but, by the age of 11, pupils should have been taught to swim unaided, competently and safely, for at least 25 metres, and the principles and skills of water safety and survival. For pupils at secondary schools, swimming is an optional element of the National Curriculum. Where schools do choose it, pupils must be taught additional strokes and a variety of water-based activities, including rescue and resuscitation skills.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number of times police have had to be called to schools for each local education authority in each of the last three years. [4039]
Ms Estelle Morris:
This information is not collected centrally.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement of his review of teachers' pensions and early retirement. [4038]
Mr. Byers:
Consultation on further changes designed to enhance the flexibility of teachers' pension arrangements and on proposals for a longer term review of the Teachers' Superannuation Scheme ended on 9 June. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement about these matters in due course.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will investigate whether the policy adopted by building societies converting to banks has contravened the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [3603]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
Whether the DDA has been contravened by building societies converting to banks is an issue which can be decided only by the courts.
The Building Societies (Distributions) Act 1997 deals with any society which first announces its intention to convert after 22 January 1997. Its provisions require converting societies to act to protect the interests of beneficiaries of accounts held on behalf of others, including disabled people. The National Disability Council has opened a dialogue with societies who announced their conversion plans before that date to
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explore the options for a solution that would have the effect that disabled people would not be worse off than other members.
On 10 March 1997, the Alliance and Leicester announced that, after flotation, its board would be asked to consider making
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he will ensure that the National Professional Qualification for Headship accords with the National Vocational Qualification System; and if he will make a statement. [3959]
Ms Estelle Morris:
The Government have asked the Teacher Training Agency to look at the links between the National Professional Qualification for Headship and National Vocational Qualifications, including the Management Charter Initiative's revised management standards.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made or commissioned of the risk to school teachers and pupils from the crumbling of materials containing asbestos in schools; and if he will make a statement. [4210]
Mr. Byers:
Local education authorities and school governors in voluntary aided and grant maintained schools have the statutory responsibility for the fabric of their buildings and the health and safety of pupils and employees while they are on the premises.
"an appropriate charitable donation to disabled persons, or a charity or charities on their behalf, subject of course to the approval of the company's shareholders".
I hope that other converting societies will be similarly constructive.
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