§ 2. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Liverpool National Dock Labour Board has a quota of only 2.7 per cent. disabled persons in its employment, and that this contravenes the statutory quota of 3 per cent. under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944; and what steps he is taking to see that the regulations are fully implemented.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Robert Carr)As stated in reply to the hon. Member on 30th October, my officers are in contact with the Board 723 about its obligations. The figure of 2.7 per cent. refers to the percentage of disabled persons in the employment of the National Dock Labour Board in the country as a whole.
§ Mr. EvansIn view of the very grave concern among all people who are interested in the employment and rehabilitation of disabled persons, would the Minister tell us whether the Dock Board is liable to a penalty for the infringement of the regulations? Does he agree that these rather arbitrary dismissals violate the accepted principle of the rehabilitation of disabled persons? Will he not agree that a medical certificate in itself is not necessarily the criterion of employability for a disabled person?
§ Mr. CarrAs I think the hon. Member realises, it is not a legal offence to be below the statutory quota. It becomes an offence if, when he is below the quota, an employer dismisses a disabled worker without proper reason or takes on a non-registered worker without a special permit from the Ministry of Labour. It is not an offence simply to be below the statutory quota. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that my officers are taking this matter up urgently with the National Dock Labour Board.