HC Deb 26 February 1958 vol 583 cc347-8
10. Mr. Gibson

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now reviewing the register of disabled persons; and how many disabled persons have been removed from the register during the past year.

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

No special steps are being taken, but there is a continuous process of review since everyone who applies for his registration to be renewed must show that he still satisfies the necessary conditions. During 1957 some 190,600 persons applied for registration or re-registration, and of these applications 9,300, including 5,900 renewal applications, were rejected after reference to the local disablement advisory committee. There are no figures relating to the number of persons removed from the register during the currency of their registration period, but such cases are relatively infrequent.

Mr. Gibson

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I have instances of disabled persons who have been on the list for four or five years, and that in one case a man who has already had four certificates as a disabled person on the register has been suddenly told this year that he is coming off, though his disablement still remains the same? If there is no special test being taken just now, will the Minister look into this case if I send him the details?

Mr. Carr

Of course, I will look into the case if the hon. Member likes to send me particulars. I assure him that no removal from the register can take place without reference to the local disablement advisory committee.

15. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered disabled persons in Section (1) who are wholly unemployed and, of these, the number who have been unemployed for six months or more.

Mr. Carr

In December, 1957, there were 43,731 wholly unemployed registered disabled persons classified as suitable for ordinary employment, of whom 16,702 had been unemployed for six months or more.

Mr. Collins

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these very high figures are in marked contrast with the figure of 3,000, wholly unemployed Section (2) badly disabled people? Is he not of opinion that the medical classification should be reviewed, because it seems highly probable that of the 16,000 who have been unemployed for six months or more many should be under Section (2) and have the opportunity of getting sheltered employment, in which his Department has had very great success.

Mr. Carr

I will certainly consider that suggestion. The hon. Member will know, with his great knowledge of these matters, that one of the problems is age. More than half of those who have been unemployed for six months or more are over 55 years of age. That factor adds very greatly to the problem.