HC Deb 07 March 1962 vol 655 cc398-9
38. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for War why Mrs. E. Buckley, a registered disabled person, has been dismissed from the Blackburn Royal Ordnance Factory.

Mr. Profumo

I have no information to add to my hon. Friend's letter to the hon. Lady. Mrs. Buckley's continued ill-health prevented her from giving satisfactory service; and after very careful consideration it was decided that she must be discharged. I have much sympathy with Mrs. Buckley in her poor state of health, but I am sure that this decision was right.

Mrs. Castle

Is this not the equivalent of sacking a registered disabled person just because she is disabled? Is not this a total violation of the policy for the employment of registered disabled persons which the Labour Government introduced? Is it not particularly incumbent upon the Government in a Government-run factory, a Royal Ordnance Factory in my constituency, to carry out the policy in this connection? Has Mrs. Buckley any other blot against her name but the fact that she has been ill because she is a disabled person? Will the right hon. Gentleman set an example to private employers by giving me the assurance here and now that when Mrs. Buckley comes out of hospital after her latest operation she will be offered her job back again in the Royal Ordnance Factory?

Mr. Profumo

I do not think I can give that undertaking—

Mrs. Castle

Why not?

Mr. Profumo

May I just answer the hon. Lady? First of all, we do employ our statutory quota of registered disabled people. At the Royal Ordnance Factory in the hon. Lady's division where Mrs. Buckley is employed, over 6 per cent. of the labour force is under some form of medical restriction. This led us to discharge her because of long periods of illness. I very much regret that it had to be done. The decision was fully discussed with representatives of her trade union. Beforehand they had sponsored an appeal on her behalf, but asked for it to be withdrawn after the hearing.

Mrs. Castle

On a point of order, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.