HC Deb 21 September 1948 vol 456 cc671-2
8. Mr. Somerville Hastings

asked the Minister of Labour how many employers, both public and private, are not yet employing their full quota of disabled persons; and what steps are being taken to remind such of their responsibilities in this direction.

Mr. Isaacs

A regular programme of inspection of employers' records is now in progress, but statistics of those who are not employing their full quota of disabled persons are not available.

9. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons now registered; and how many of these are on the lists of the employment exchanges awaiting suitable employment.

Mr. Isaacs

The number of registered disabled persons at 19th July last was 898,554. The number recorded as unemployed on 16th August was 72,268, of whom 10,189 were severely disabled and in need of sheltered employment.

Mr. Hastings

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that machinery exists for the classification of these disabled persons so that they may be put into occupations best suited for them, or trained for such occupations?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir. That machinery does exist and I can assure the House that it is very effectively operated. I am not satisfied that all those who are at present recorded as disabled are in fact sufficiently disabled to bring them inside the scope of the Act, but every effort is being made. I know how keen the House is on the question and it is being pushed as far as we can in the existing circumstances.