§ 9. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Employment what changes have recently been made in the employment service for disabled or handicapped people; and what further changes he proposes to make.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe measures I announced last year have been actively pursued. The initiatives taken by Rotary International the Round Table and the Junior Chamber of Commerce, combined with the strengthening of the Disablement Resettlement Officer Service and increased inspections of employers' records under the quota scheme, enabled over 60,000 jobs to be found last year, in spite of the generally difficult situation.
We are now examining the Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts to consider what changes are necessary.
§ Mr. MadelI welcome the action which the Government have so far taken. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the review of services for the disabled is being pressed ahead with urgency and that, when the review is complete, he will ensure full publicity for its recommendations so that no opportunity of employment for the disabled is lost?
§ Mr. SmithWe shall certainly consider publicity for any new provisions. Particular attention is being paid to the effect of the provisions made under the Act, such as industrial rehabilitation, vocational training and sheltered employment, for securing the satisfactory resettlement of disabled people. We are also looking into the quota provisions to see whether they succeed or fail in getting employment opportunities for disabled people. We intend to keep up the initiatives which we have started in this sphere.
§ Mr. Ashleyis the Minister aware that the greatest contribution which he can make to getting employment for disabled people is to persuade employers to accept the quota of 3 per cent. for disabled people? Half of Britain's employers are not fulfilling their quotas. Will the Minister try to do something about it?
§ Mr. SmithWe are very conscious of this problem. That is one of the reasons why we are having a special look at it. We take every opportunity to persuade employers to engage the disabled. There are difficulties. The hon. Gentleman knows that there are some spheres of activity which are not suitable for certain types of disabled people. In addition, many of the disabled are quite old. However, we shall certainly pursue this point.