HC Deb 06 December 1961 vol 650 cc1379-80
31. Mr. Bence

asked the Minister of Labour what test is applied in the retention of blind persons in employment within institutions, for which he is responsible, established for the employment of blind persons.

Mr. Green

Entrants to workshops for the blind are given a period of training after which they are expected to reach a minimum level of output as a condition of retention. In Scotland the appropriate level in each trade is determined by the Joint Industrial Council for Scottish Workshops for the Blind; in England and Wales it is determined by the Local Authorities Advisory Committee on the Conditions of Employment of Blind Workers, after consultation with the National Association of Workshops for the Blind and the National League of the Blind.

Mr. Bence

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I have received a reply from his Department concerning a young constituent of mine who was at the Glasgow Blind Workshops and does he not think that it is really shameful that a blind man should be put to the test of commercial production on baskets in order to be employed? Is it not a really shocking state of affairs that a commercial test should be applied to a blind man?

Mr. Green

With respect to the hon. Gentleman, I think I know about the case he has in mind and I shall be only too happy to see him about it if he so wishes. I am sure that he appreciates that all the arrangements to which I have referred are carried out in close consultation with the National League of the Blind and other people who are very experienced in this matter. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no question of callousness involved in this and all those who have been long associated with this matter will, I am sure, support me.

Mr. Bence

I cannot accept that answer. Commercial tests applied to human beings with all their capacities can often be callous, but to apply a commercial test to a disabled or blind man is callous in the extreme. In view of the unsatisfactory reply I have received, I shall take the first opportunity to raise it on the Adjournment.