§ 10. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour whether he will set up an advisory committee representing employers, trade unions, medical and other bodies involved in the care and employment of the severely disabled to advise him on matters affecting Remploy Limited and the employment of disabled persons generally.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled, which is constituted, under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944, on the same lines as those suggested by the hon. Member, can and does advise on these matters. A committee of this Council is specially concerned with the provision of sheltered employment by Remploy Limited, local authorities, and voluntary organisations.
§ Mr. WilleyWill not the Parliamentary Secretary look at this matter again? Does he not think that the Committee which inquired into the N.C.B. did a good job? In view of the inherent difficulties facing Remploy, and in view of the many Questions which have been put about it, does not the hon. Gentleman think that such a committee of investigation could do a useful job of work?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe hon. Gentleman probably knows that the Organisation and Methods Division of the Treasury is carrying out an investigation now, at Remploy's request. We should not burden Remploy with too many investigations.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonIs not this much more a question of the day-to-day running of the various enterprises of Remploy? Could my hon. Friend give his mind to devising some means so that 1426 the most efficient standards of production can be attained to enable the products to find a place in competitive markets, and to provide permanent employment for those who need it?
§ Mr. WatkinsonYes, I will certainly do so.
§ Mr. RobensWill the hon. Gentleman take note that no one in this House wants to prevent Remploy doing a useful job of work, but that there is great apprehension in all parts of the House as to its efficiency? Will he consult his right hon. and learned Friend to see whether it is possible to have an outside committee of investigation, similar to the Fleck Committee, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) referred, and which reported on the National Coard Board, in order to produce efficiency in the administration?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI appreciate what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I will certainly consult my right hon. and learned Friend. We are all interested in trying to get Remploy as efficient as we can.
§ 23. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Labour the latest total of severely disabled people who are unemployed, and the corresponding total for a year earlier.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe number of severely disabled people registered as unemployed on 17th January, 1955, was 4,575 as compared with 5,592 on 18th January, 1954.
§ Mr. RussellDoes that mean that the field from which Remploy draws its recruits has gone down in the last year or two?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am glad to say that over recent years the field has decreased. For example, in 1949 there were no fewer than 11,500 people registered as unemployed. It is very gratifying to all of us that the number has fallen.
Mr. J. T. PriceDoes it not also suggest that many of the gravely disabled persons have died in the meantime?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is possible, but I might add that it also shows the work done by Remploy in getting nearly 200 men last year out of Remploy and back into full-time fit employment.