HC Deb 08 March 1955 vol 538 cc143-4
44. Miss Herbison

asked the Minister of Labour how many Remploy factories employ only persons disabled as a result o f tuberculosis; and where they are situated.

Mr. Watkinson

Seven Remploy factories employ only tuberculous persons. These are at Bermondsey, Birmingham, Bristol, Hull, Leeds, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

Miss Herbison

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that not one of those factories is situated in Scotland; and as the incidence of tuberculosis is much higher in Scotland, and as it is much more difficult to find light work in many places in Scotland, does the hon. Gentleman not think that there is a very big need for one of these factories to be situated there? What steps will he take to ensure that it will be?

Mr. Watkinson

I realise that, and I can tell the hon.Lady that when Remploy is in a position to build some more factories a factory for tuberculous workers in Scotland will have very high priority.

Miss Herbison

When does the hon. Gentleman think that Remploy will be in that position? Is it not the case that if the Government, who have talked so much about the matter, had done some more, Remploy would have been in that position two or three years ago?

Forward to