§ 6. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons registered on the disabled persons register in Sunderland; and how many persons so registered are at present unemployed.
§ Mr. Iain Macleod3,242, of whom 451 were unemployed on 19th May.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the particular difficulties of disabled persons in Sunderland at present in obtaining employment? Will he consider whether it is possible to provide more opportunities at the Remploy factory?
§ Mr. MacleodThe figures of disabled persons in Sunderland are relatively very high, although over the last year in Sunderland—which has had a bad year from the employment point of view—the percentage increase among the disabled was a good deal less. Indeed, it has been only one-third of the increase among able-bodied unemployment. I agree that this is only relative comfort, but it shows that employers are conscious of their responsibilities towards it. There is a full complement in the Remploy factory of 75. I understand that the Remploy factory in Sunderland is employing its full complement at present.