§ 8. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour how many Remploy factories have been established in North Staffordshire; and how many more are considered necessary by him.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)Three—at Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and Longton. On present evidence these should be sufficient for the needs of the area but, if they are not, others will be provided.
§ Dr. StrossIs my right hon. Friend aware that in an area where the majority of the workers are pottery workers and miners the incidence of industrial disease and accidents is inevitably high? Will he bear that in mind?
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, the incidence of disease is high there, but it is high in many other industries elsewhere. However, that is borne in mind. We take into consideration the number of persons requiring this special treatment and we hope to provide it.
§ 9. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour how many men and women are employed in the Remploy Factory in Leek Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent; and how many of them have suffered from industrial accident or industrial disease before being employed there.
§ Mr. IsaacsThere were 43 severely disabled persons employed at 11th March, 1949, all of whom were men. Of these, 11 were admitted on the grounds of having suffered from industrial accident or industrial disease.
§ Mr. GammansWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what a Remploy Factory is?
§ Mr. IsaacsI thought that potted title was well known. It is the short name of the factories established by the Disabled Persons' Employment Corporation.
§ Dr. StrossWill my right hon. Friend tell the House what method is used for the selection of these people, and the grounds on which they are selected?
§ Mr. IsaacsIf my hon. Friend will put that question down, I shall be very happy indeed to give him the information.