§ 7. Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to increase the capacity of the Remploy factory at Dalmuir, Dunbartonshire, to accept more disabled persons.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Dalmuir factory is being moved into larger premises at Anniesland in the autumn. This will enable Remploy to introduce a new trade and thereby employ more disabled people.
§ Mr. BenceI thank the hon. Member for the letter that he has sent to me. In that letter he states that within the next 18 months another 30 places will be provided. Is he satisfied that the provision of 30 places in 18 months in sufficient to cope with the increasing number of disabled people coming on to the employment exchange in the area?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am sure that the hon. Member will appreciate that this is just one of the Remploy factories in the area, and that an extension on these lines is at least a help toward solving what is a difficult problem.
§ Mr. LawsonCan the Minister tell us whether there are to be similar extensions in, for example, the factory at Motherwell? His words seemed to suggest that there is to be an all-round extension. Is that the case?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am sorry if my words suggested that. That is wrong. I said that there was to be an extension in one factory in this area, and that there were other Remploy factories in the area. Remploy is always reviewing its trading position in particular areas. The extension at Dalmuir is welcome. I merely referred to the fact that there were other Remploy factories in the area.