HC Deb 11 May 1964 vol 695 c24
26. Mr. Boardman

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled people are unemployed in the Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley area.

Mr. Whitelaw

On 20th April, 1964, there were 65 registered disabled persons registered as unemployed at Leigh Employment Exchange and 89 at the Atherton and Tyldesley Employment Exchange.

Mr. Boardman

In view of the number of men in this area who have been medically certified as fit for light work only and the difficulties these men have in finding suitable jobs, will the hon. Gentleman consider making a special appeal to employers in the area to employ as many as possible, in excess of the 3 per cent, which, I think, most people now regard as "phony".

Mr. Whitelaw

I could not accept the last point which the hon. Gentleman makes. I do not believe that people regard the quota as being in any way "phony". What I can tell the hon. Gentleman is that our local officers are doing all they can to find suitable openings for unemployed disabled persons both by submitting them for vacancies notified by employers and by making special approaches to employers. The question is also being taken up by the disablement advisory committees and the local employment committees, and their advice is being sought.

Mr. Boardman

Will the hon. Gentleman add his weight to what the local committees are doing? There is great feeling on this matter, and I think that an appeal by the Minister would do an enormous amount of good.

Mr. Whitelaw

I hope that what I have said this afternoon will give indications of that support.