HC Deb 24 May 1954 vol 528 cc21-2
36. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he takes to rehabilitate those who suffer from epileptic fits and to find them employment.

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Sir Walter Monckton)

Epileptics are admitted in appropriate cases to the Ministry's industrial rehabilitation and vocational training courses, and special efforts are made to find them employment. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet (D.P.L.5), which is used to facilitate their acceptance by employers and fellow-workers. Remploy Limited is employing over 400 epileptics.

Mr. Wyatt

While thanking the Minister for that very friendly answer, may I ask if he will bear in mind that quite often epileptics find it difficult to maintain themselves in employment because other people imagine that their fits are more dangerous than they really are. Can energetic steps be taken to reassure people who may have to work with epileptics that these fits are not necessarily serious or dangerous in any way?

Sir W. Monckton

When the hon. Member receives the leaflet I am sending him he will see that that point is one of those to which the Ministry draws the special attention of employers and fellow-workers.

Mr. Hastings

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman consult the Minister of Health to see if many of these epileptics can be employed in connection with hospital work where people with whom they come in contact will be much less likely to be frightened by these comparatively harmless fits?

Sir W. Monckton

I will certainly bear that suggestion in mind.