§ 36. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour the average proportionate unemployment among disabled persons in the West Midland region; how this compares with the proportion unemployed in Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what steps he is taking to deal with the problem.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 8th April, 1963, 7.4 per cent. of registered disabled persons were unemployed in the Midlands Region compared with 11.9 per cent. in New castle-under-Lyme. The disablement resettlement officers will continue their efforts to find work for the disabled persons who are unemployed. The position is expected to improve with the general employment situation.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise from that, as in Scotland, in many parts of England the situation is extremely serious, especially where more than 10 per cent. of registered disabled persons are unable to find work? Does he appreciate the special tragedy of many of these men from the pits, and so on, who year after year are unable to find any suitable work? Will he now take urgent steps to provide suitable work in these areas where there is such a high level of disabled unemployed?
§ Mr. WhitelawI certainly accept the problem which the inability to find jobs creates for disabled persons, and I share the hon. Member's concern in that. As to Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Midlands Region, however, I would hope that this position, too, will improve with the general improvement of the economic situation.
§ Dr. KingWill the Minister seriously consider the setting up of a committee to examine how far we are meeting our obligations to the severely disabled, on the one hand, in institutions like Remploy and the partially disabled, on the other hand, when we are asking employers to take a certain percentage of such disabled men? This is a serious problem demanding serious consideration on the part of the Minister. Will he assure us that he will look into it?
§ Mr. WhitelawI certainly assure the hon. Member that I will look into it, as, indeed, my right hon. Friend and our Department are constantly doing. We recognise that this is a serious and urgent problem.