HC Deb 29 January 1970 vol 794 cc1699-700
13. Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will take steps to draw the attention of new firms receiving Government assistance in development areas to the requirement to employ a quota of disabled persons.

Mr. Dell

All new firms with 20 or more employees have their attention drawn to their obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts, 1944 and 1958, including the requirement to employ a quota of registered disabled persons.

Mr. Watkins

While I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that through the heavy nature of the declining industries in many of the development areas those areas have particularly high percentages of disabled persons? Is he satisfied that the new employers to whom my Question refers are aware of their responsibilities?

Mr. Dell

I think they are, and we are taking special steps to ensure that they remain aware of their responsibilities. In development areas the percentage quota achieved in the employment of disabled persons is, probably for the reasons my hon. Friend gives, higher than for the country in general.

Mr. Marten

Is the Minister aware that of the firms which are obligated to employ 3 per cent. of disabled persons on their payroll, 44 per cent. are not fulfilling their obligations? Is he further aware that the rate of unemployment among disabled people is 11 per cent.? What are the Government doing about it?

Mr. Dell

Many firms have permits in respect of the percentage of the number of disabled people they employ. However, we are making particular efforts to ensure that employers are aware of their responsibilities and that they are living up to them. We are tightening up our scrutiny of the application of the present regulations.