HC Deb 05 August 1947 vol 441 cc1267-8
1. Mr. A. Edward Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now revise the arrangements for the employment of disabled workers so as to compel the less essential industries to take a higher percentage than they are required to do at present.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)

The Disabled Persons (Employment) Act does not empower me to fix a special percentage for an industry on the ground that it is less essential than others.

Mr. Davies

Will not the Minister agree that it is important that we should utilise every man and woman in this country in our industrial effort, and that some industries are in a much better position to employ disabled men and women than others?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir, that is correct. It is not a question of the essentiality of the industry, but of the statutory power to make such changes in an industry which has distinctive characteristics as regards suitability for disabled persons.

4. Mr. Frank Anderson

asked the Minister of Labour the location of the proposed disabled persons' factory at Whitehaven; when will building operations commence; how many disabled persons are likely to be employed; and when will such employment commence.

Mr. Isaacs

A site in Whitehaven is being considered by the Disabled Persons' Employment Corporations; but negotiations are still in progress. When a site is acquired building will be started as soon as possible on a factory to take 50 disabled persons. I cannot at this stage give a date for employment to commence.

Mr. Anderson

Is it possible to utilise some of the hostels that are near Whitehaven and train these men now so that they will be ready when the factories are ready?

Mr. Isaacs

I understand that those hostels have been carefully examined and have not been found suitable.

5. Mr. F. Anderson

asked the Minister of Labour the position of the disabled persons' factory at Cleator Moor; when will the factory be in a position to employ disabled men and how many; when were the alterations commenced; and why is it taking so long for these to be completed.

Mr. Isaacs

I am informed that the adaptations to the factory at Cleator Moor have now been completed and that it is hoped to start working the week after next. Fifty disabled persons will be employed when the factory is in full production. Possession of three hutments was obtained in May and the necessary alterations were put in hand and completed as expeditiously as circumstances permitted.