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Learning Difficulties (Spending)
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the amount of special needs provision (a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire in terms of children with (i) moderate learning difficulties, (ii) severe learning difficulties and (iii) emotional and behavioural difficulties, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [89744]
Mr. Charles Clarke: The latest available data drawn from Annual Schools' Census returns relates to January 1998. The number of children with a statement of special educational needs nationally is 242,294 and in Gloucestershire 2,539. Information is not collected centrally by type of special need.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he is taking to ensure that all public buildings and facilities comply with the standards set out in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [89209]
Ms Hodge:
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 does not set specific standards for buildings or facilities. Rather, it requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.
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The new duties on those who provide goods, facilities and services to the public to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people are coming into force on 1 October, although service providers will not be required to make physical adjustments to their premises until 2004. The October phase of implementation is being supported by a revised Code of Practice which was issued on 29 June. The Code gives guidance to service providers about their responsibilities under the Act and how to adopt good practice. A similar Code of Practice in respect of employers' duties under the Act was issued in 1996. In addition, other information for service providers and employers can be obtained from the DDA Helpline and more will become available as 1 October approaches.
Whether a service provider or employer has fulfilled their duties under the DDA can only be determined when an individual pursues a claim through an Employment Tribunal or the Courts. However, we are currently taking legislation through Parliament to establish the Disability Rights Commission which will support disabled people in securing their rights under the Act and seek to ensure that employers and service providers who discriminate change their practices and procedures. The Commission will also work to promote good practice among service providers and employers, and be a central source of information and advice about the DDA.
A campaign to raise awareness about the DDA, and disability in general, with employers and service providers, as well as the general public is currently underway. From 1 July, national newspaper advertisements have been alerting service providers to the new rights in respect of access to goods, facilities and services. Further newspaper and radio advertisements are planned for the autumn. The campaign will also be working with intermediaries such as the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce and the Local Government Association to ensure that all service providers, in both the public and private sector, are aware of the new rights and duties.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89699]
Mr. Mudie:
Assembling this information will take a few days. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Mr. Willetts:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in respect of the New Deal for Lone Parents, how many (a) participants have been invited to interview, (b) interviews have been booked, (c) interviews have been attended by participants and (d) jobs have been attained. [89706]
Ms Hodge:
From April this year, the Government Statistical Service will be reporting independently on New Deal for Lone Parent (NDLP) results, and reports will be published on the first Thursday of every month.
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The first report was published on 1 July, and for the period since the full national roll-out of the New Deal for Lone Parents' programme, i.e. from 26 October 1998 to 30 April 1999, the figures requested are:
Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the arrangement for disabled access to Skenfrith Castle in Monmouthshire; [89447]
Mr. Michael:
These are matters for the National Assembly for Wales.
Mr. Yeo:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the effect on farm gate prices of purchasing policies following the proposed merger between Wal-Mart and Asda. [89258]
Mr. Nick Brown:
The purchasing policies of individual supermarkets are primarily a matter for the businesses concerned. The Competition Commission is conducting a 12 month investigation of grocery retailing
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and will examine, as part of that review, the nature of the relationships between the multiples and their suppliers including agricultural producers.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81263, a holding answer for which was given on 19 April. [89743]
Mr. Rooker:
I replied to the hon. Member on 20 April.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement outlining the extent to which the UK is permitted to impose restrictions on the growing of GM foods without the permission of the European Union. [88945]
Mr. Meacher
[holding answer 29 June 1999]: I have been asked to reply.
The release into the environment and the marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are regulated by Council Directive 90/220/EEC. All such releases are carried out following a scientific assessment of risk carried out case-by-case on the basis of an environmental risk assessment. All authorisations for the experimental release of GMOs are issued by the UK authorities on the basis of this Directive. The UK authorities may impose specific conditions on any release, and may suspend a release where there is evidence of harm to human health or the environment.
Consents to market GMO products (Part C consents under the Directive) are issued at Community level in order to secure the single market for these products. Notifications on the basis of the Directive are submitted through the competent authority of one member state and all other competent authorities may then comment upon the application. If there are differences between member states, the matter is resolved by qualified majority voting.
Restrictions may always be imposed to take account of specific environmental conditions in member states, and the safeguard clause allows member states to suspend any release immediately if evidence emerges of harm to human health or the environment. This is subject to confirmation within three months at Community level.
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Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families earning more than (a) £20,000, (b) £25,000 and (c) £30,000 a year who will be eligible for the working families tax credit. [88906]
Dawn Primarolo:
It is estimated that in 2000-01, the first full year of the Working Families Tax Credit, about 1.4 million families will be in receipt of the credit. About 100,000 families will have earnings over £20,000. The numbers of families in receipt of the credit with earnings over £25,000 and over £30,000 are so small that reliable estimates are not available.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many life insurance ISAs are accounted for by policies with Scottish Widows. [89353]
Ms Hewitt
[holding answer 2 July 1999]: None. We understand that Scottish Widows does not offer policies suitable for inclusion in life insurance ISAs.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of the contract of the head of the FSA. [R] [89329]
Ms Hewitt
[holding answer 1 July 1999]: The head of the FSA was appointed in 1997 for a five year fixed term, which expires on 31 July 2002. His salary and other benefits are set out in the Notes to the Accounts of the FSA's Annual Report.
377,840 lone parents were sent an initial invitation letter.
66,832 initial interviews were booked.
57,500 lone parents attended an initial interview.
Copies of the full report are available in the Library.
11,200 lone parents obtained employment: these jobs are in addition to the 5,400 already helped into work during the earlier phases of the programme.
(2) what statutory responsibilities CADW has to ensure that ancient monuments in Wales are accessible to people with disabilities who need wheelchairs. [89446]
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