§ 43. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered on the Disabled Persons Register; how many are employed and how many unemployed on the most recent convenient date.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe number of persons registered as disabled on 20th October, 1947, was 828,666; the number unemployed on 17th November was 74,646, of whom 10,655 were classified as severely disabled and needing sheltered employment. It is estimated from these figures that the number of registered disabled in employment is about 750,000.
Mr. H. D. HughesCan my right hon. Friend say what sanctions are being employed against employers who are not fulfilling their quota obligations, in view of the fact that there are over 70,000 of these people unemployed? Will he consider further sanctions if that step should prove to be necessary?
§ Mr. OsborneIs it not true that the vast majority of employers are faithfully carrying out their obligations?
§ Mr. IsaacsPerhaps the House will permit me to give a rather long reply on this point. Employers are, on the whole, carrying out their undertakings. We have conducted a survey, the results of which, I hope, it will be possible to present to the House. A great number of non-compliances have been due either to misunderstanding of the regulation or failure to see notices. Every individual case has been followed up, and I am sure that we shall see an improvement following the further survey. As I have said, however, employers generally are doing their best.
§ Mr. ChetwyndWould my right hon. Friend consider increasing the quota, in view of the large number of unemployed, which has been constant for such a long time?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe figures are not constant. The personnel change from time to time. The question of increasing the quota has been considered, but we feel that it is best that those who are not yet taking part should take their share before the quota for those who are taking their share is increased.
§ Mr. Edward EvansWhat is the attitude of the Civil Service Commissioners to disablement and deafness?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is rather a different question, but the Civil Service quota is considerably above 3 per cent., and is in line with the best employers.