HC Deb 16 July 1970 vol 803 cc1716-7
32. Mr. John Page

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether he will give the percentage increase or decrease in the unemployment of registered disabled persons, nationally and for the London Borough of Harrow, as between June, 1964, and June, 1970.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The percentage increase in the unemployment of registered disabled persons between June, 1964, and June, 1970, was 38.6 per cent. for Great Britain and 132.3 per cent. for the London Borough of Harrow.

Mr. Page

Will my hon. Friend take urgent action to put into reverse the policies of the previous Government which have resulted in such distressing unemployment figures, nationally and in Harrow, among people who cannot look after themselves?

Mr. Smith

I know my hon. Friend's great interest in the subject, and I am pleased to be able to tell him that the disablement resettlement officer service is being reorganised and substantially strengthened and that new arrangements are being introduced for the more intensive inspection of records of employers who have a statutory disabled quota obligation.