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European Court of Human Rights
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those cases against the United Kingdom that have been lodged and are awaiting consideration by the European Court of Human Rights, indicating (a) which Articles of the
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Convention are cited as having been breached in the application and (b) those cases which have been ruled admissible. [118975]
Mr. Hain: In 1999, 429 applications involving the United Kingdom were registered before the European Court of Human Rights. Of these, 32 have been declared admissible. To list the situation regarding each of these cases would be too detailed for the Official Report. I shall write to my hon. Friend with further details and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long it took to process each stage in each case brought against the United Kingdom in the last four years before the European Court of Human Rights; and what estimate he has made of when it will be possible to form an assessment of the impact of structural changes to the European Court mechanisms upon the length of proceedings. [118976]
Mr. Hain: Several hundred cases involving the United Kingdom have been brought before the European Court of Human Rights in the last four years. It would not be feasible to list how long each stage of the proceedings took in each of these cases. The procedure for each case is determined individually by the Court taking into account the particular facts and circumstances of the case. A proper assessment of the impact of the new procedures in Strasbourg will not be possible until a sufficient number of cases have been determined exclusively by the new Court. The European Commission on Human Rights ceased to consider cases only on 31 October 1999. It is still too early, therefore, to attempt such an assessment.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
New Deal (Disabled People)
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people on Incapacity Benefit have, under the personal adviser section of the New Deal for the Disabled, (a) been contacted by a Personal Adviser, (b) attended an initial interview, (c) had a complete employability assessment, (d) had an agreed individual action plan, (e) found part-time employment as a result of the programme and (f) found full-time employment as a result of the programme. [118611]
Ms Hodge: We have been piloting the New Deal for Disabled People since autumn 1998. The latest available figures are those for the period up to 25 February 2000 covering the 12 personal adviser pilot areas.
10,070 people have contacted and met a Personal Adviser to discuss their employment prospects. Some 6,650 people have developed an employment-focused action plan following a full assessment of their employment prospects.
Our experience shows that for many in the client group the journey back to work will be lengthy. I am pleased therefore to be able to say that some 1,843 people had found work, representing 56 per cent. of those who had completed their action plans. Of these 1,081 were in full-time work and 551 in part-time work. A further 211 had become self-employed, entered supported employment or had been helped to retain their current jobs.
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In addition, 607 people had started work as a result of participating in innovative schemes.
Value-added League Tables
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to publish the research by Professor Jenson of York University into value-added league tables. [119253]
Jacqui Smith: The publication of research is a matter for the author.
Special Schools
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list those LEAs which make specific provision for special schools for voice output communication aids for children with speech problems; how many aids are supplied in each LEA (a) at present and (b) in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [119225]
- (2) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the provision of voice output communication aids in special schools for children with learning disabilities and lack of verbal communication skills; and what his policy is in respect of allowing the use of such aids at home. [119229]
Jacqui Smith: Information on specific provision that local education authorities (LEAs) make to special schools in relation to communication aids is not collected centrally.
The Education Act 1996, associated regulations, and guidance in the 'Code of Practice on the identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs' places a statutory duty on LEAs to identify and assess children with special educational needs (SEN) for whom they are responsible. Where this leads to the issuing of a statement of SEN, the LEA has to ensure the child receives the special educational provision identified in the statement and the support required to ensure this provision fully meets the needs of the child. In cases where provision includes the use of communication aids many LEAs allow children to take such equipment home where it is appropriate, and we fully support that course of action.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what steps his Department is taking to evaluate and analyse the benefits of voice output communication aids for children with communication difficulties in special schools; and if he will make a statement; [119226]
- (2) what steps his Department is taking to help special schools and LEAs to improve the provision of communication aids for children with speech and communication problems. [119228]
Jacqui Smith: The Department is not, at present, undertaking any evaluation or analysis of the benefits of voice output communication aids for children with communication difficulties in special schools.
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Local education authorities (LEAs) are responsible for identifying and making a statutory assessment of children with special educational needs (SEN) for whom they are responsible. Where this leads to the issuing of a statement of SEN, the LEA has a duty to ensure the child receives the special educational provision identified in the statement and the support required to ensure this provision fully meets the needs of the child. This includes support required by children with communication difficulties. We would expect LEAs to monitor and evaluate locally the provision and support they make available to meet fully children's SEN.
The Department supports, through the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), two national assessment centres for pupils with communication difficulties.
These centres provide specialist assessments to identify where technology, in particular communication aids and computers with assistive technology, (such as speech output, switch and keyboard alternatives), can provide access to the curriculum. They provide a focus of information and experience that can be accessed by anyone who has an involvement with children who have communication difficulties, including special schools.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from local education authorities requesting central government ring-fenced financing for voice output communication aids, in special schools for pupils with communication difficulties; and if he will make a statement. [119227]
Jacqui Smith: There have been no representations from local education authorities (LEAs) requesting central government ring-fenced financing for voice output communication aids for pupils in special schools with communication difficulties.
Recycling
Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his policy on the recycling of materials produced by his Department. [107858]
Mr. Wills: The Department's policy is in line with the Government-wide waste minimisation strategy which promotes reduction, re-use and recovery through recycling. All of the Department's buildings have recycling schemes in place for paper, toner cartridges and fluorescent tubes. We also recycle computer equipment to schools.
Capital Modernisation Fund
Mr. Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what further plans he has for using Capital Modernisation Fund allocations in schools. [119722]
Jacqui Smith: We are pleased to announce that £60 million is being allocated from the Capital Modernisation Fund to tackle deficiencies in secondary school science over the next two years. The initiative will do this by funding the construction of imaginative and effective 21st century laboratories at those schools most in need.
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