HC Deb 22 May 1963 vol 678 cc429-30
34. Mr. Willis

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to secure the establishment of additional Remploy factories in Scotland to provide employment for the disabled.

Mr. Whitelaw

In order to employ more severely disabled people in Scotland, the Remploy factories at Aberdeen and Dundee have recently been extended, the factory at Cowdenbeath will be extended shortly and the one at Dalmuir will be moved into new premises.

Mr. Willis

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we welcome these additional facilities but that if he examines the figures which he gave to other Scottish Members and myself three or four weeks ago about the number of disabled persons in Scotland, he will see that there is still clearly a need for several more Remploy factories in Scotland?

Mr. Whitelaw

What one must do in considering, this matter—and I appreciate what the hon. Member says—is to remember that Remploy is dealing with the severely disabled only and that some of the figures which were given apply to the disabled generally. One must also appreciate the problem of siting the Remploy factories in the areas where improvement is required. In some of the scattered areas, there are unemployed severely disabled people whom it would be impossible to cover by Remploy factories We feel that the number of factories in Scotland is coping with the prospective demand.

Mr. Stodart

Does my hon. Friend recall that in a letter which he wrote to me last August, he made clear that the Remploy factory in Glasgow was working at 100 per cent. capacity? Does not this show that there is need and room for an extension of the factory in the Glasgow area?

Mr. Whitelaw

I should assure my hon. Friend that in reply to the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Bence) I referred to the extension of the factory at Dalmuir on its going into new premises at Anniesland, which is in the Glasgow area. I note, however, what my hon. Friend has said and also what the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Willis) has said.

Mr. Millan

Does not the Minister realise that there are no fewer that 2,400 registered disabled unemployed in Glasgow and that what is needed is an extension of facilities not merely for the severely disabled, but also for the less severely disabled, who in some cases also find it impossible to get jobs?

Mr. Whitelaw

I take the point made by the hon. Member. In this regard, it would be right to refer to the sheltered workshops which are provided by the local authorities and the voluntary bodies. I was fortunate enough to go to open one of these in Falkirk and I think that an extension of them is extremely valuable.