§ 17. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will state the latest monthly figures of unemployed persons on the Disabled Persons Register; and what measures she is taking to reduce the figure to the national average.
§ Mr. FernyhoughOn 10th February, 1969, 69,298, or 10.6 per cent. of registered disabled persons, were registered as unemployed. The rate of unemployment has never been as low as general unemployment. There are various reasons for this, an important one being that registration as a disabled person is voluntary, and there are many disabled persons in employment who are not registered. My Disablement Resettlement Officers are doing everything possible to find suitable employment for those who are unemployed, including industrial rehabilitation and training where appropriate, and I look to employers to do all they can to make opportunities available. The operation of the quota scheme and the provision of sheltered employment are being kept regularly under review in consultation with my National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled.
§ Mr. AshleyWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, is he aware that, despite his own sincere efforts, those of his D.R.O.s and those of his Advisory Council, the problem is getting worse? In the last six months, on his own admission, the figures have risen from 9.9 per cent. to 10.6 per cent., which is over four 17 times the national average. Is he further aware that thousands of disabled workers regard the system as a failure and a flop? Will he, therefore, conduct an inquiry into the best means of tackling this terrible problem?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am aware that many unemployed disabled people are seriously worried about their difficulty in finding employment, and I share their anxiety. But I do not agree that the placing service provided by my Department is a failure. Over 34,700 disabled persons were placed in employment by my Department over the last six months. The Training and Employment Committee of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled is shortly to consider the situation, which I agree is one for concern. When it reports I will consider what other steps are necessary.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Long answers mean fewer questions.
§ Dr. WinstanleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the percentage of registered disabled persons in Government employment has fallen to a regrettably low level? In addition to looking at outside employment, will the Minister get his colleagues to try to put their own houses in order in this respect?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am satisfied that if a survey were made of the whole of Government establishments we should be found to be filling our quota. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Treasury has sent out an intimation that it wants all Departments to make sure, as far as they possibly can, that they are meeting their quotas.