HC Deb 27 February 1973 vol 851 cc1258-9
2. Dr. Stuttaford

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that there are adequate employment facilities in the Norwich area for the disabled.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The unemployment rate for the registered disabled people in the area is significantly lower than the national rate and is now lower than at any time during the last four years. I welcome this trend, although there is always room for further improvement.

Dr. Stuttaford

Does my hon. Friend agree that this is a satisfactory state of affairs? Has not this situation been revolutionised recently by the fact that more severely disabled people are more readily employed since Remploy negotiated a deal with a local firm? Will he also agree that there are several not so badly disabled persons who cannot get jobs? Does he further agree that if all employers took their share these too might find employment?

Mr. Smith

That is true and, like my hon. Friend, I pay tribute to the work done by Remploy. We are never satisfied that sufficient employers take the right number of disabled people and we work all the time to encourage them to take their share.

Mr. Molloy

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Fellowship of Workers for the Disabled and Handicapped recently presented a petition to Downing Street? Is he further aware that the gravamen of its case was that employers were not taking their proper quota of disabled people—people who can contribute to the wealth of the country? Will he look at this?

Mr. Smith

That does not arise on this Question, but there are strong feelings about it and the hon. Member knows that we are currently considering this matter. There are no ready answers but we are endeavouring to find a solution.

Mr. Money

Although we are all grateful for the better employment opportunities now available for disabled people in the eastern counties, may I ask my hon. Friend to say something about what is being done to provide training facilities for disabled people, particularly in East Anglia?

Mr. Smith

Not without notice. Norwich has no industrial rehabilitation unit but vocational training is available. Training facilities for the disabled have improved in East Anglia and elsewhere. Again, this is a subject which we have constantly under review. If we can provide extra facilities we will do so.