HC Deb 29 January 1957 vol 563 cc823-5
2. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Labour what advice or help is given to encourage employment of people suffering from tuberculosis.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Robert Carr)

My officers do all they can, in co-operation with chest physicians, to help the tuberculous to obtain employment. For this purpose, all the services provided under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, including industrial rehabilitation and training, are available to the tuberculous as they are to other disabled people. Special facilities for training and employment under sheltered conditions are provided by Remploy, and by some voluntary bodies and local authorities.

Mrs. Slater

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that it is important that these people should have employment, if it is possible? Would it be possible for the Minister to advise the local offices of the Ministry of Labour to have consultations with the employers and probably the trade unions to see how far sheltered occupations within industry might be found, in addition to the work of Remploy?

Mr. Carr

I will certainly do that, but I think that the hon. Lady should know that my officers have been doing a great work in this field for a number of years in breaking down some of the unnecessary prejudices and difficulties that did exist. We also published a special pamphlet on the subject last year.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Government Departments do not make matters too easy for people who have had tuberculosis? Is he aware that, if a man applies for any unestablished post in a Department, he has to state specifically whether he has ever suffered from tuberculosis or not, and that, when most applicants read that, they are likely to jump to the conclusion that their case has been damned even before it is considered?

Mr. Carr

I will look into that. I do not think the right hon. Gentleman's conclusion is necessarily justified. It probably is right that employers should get this information. We must, of course, while providing opportunities for the tuberculous, protect the health of other people as well.