HC Deb 18 February 1975 vol 886 cc1088-9
4. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the level of unemployment of registered disabled compared with a year ago.

Mr. Harold Walker

I regret that I cannot provide more up-to-date information than that which I gave to the hon. Member on 5th November 1974, when I said that 59,882 registered disabled people were unemployed in September 1974 compared with 66,259 in September 1973.

Mr. Marten

Does the Minister agree that there are still far too many registered disabled who are unemployed? What is the proportion of employers who do not come up to the 3 per cent. standard? Is he satisfied that employers are doing their best?

Mr. Walker

No, I am not satisfied with the present position. For that reason I recently instituted a scheme of purging what I consider to be the black spots. We have selected six areas for intensive enforcement of the scheme. If at the end of a six-months' period that is seen to be effective, we shall give careful consideration to repeating the exercise elsewhere.

I am sorry that I cannot give the hon. Gentleman the figure he seeks. The situation is complicated since we have to distinguish between firms which fall behind the 3 per cent. quota—which require the permission of the Department—and those which do not have departmental permission. I shall let the hon. Gentleman have the figures, but I repeat that I am far from satisfied with the position. There are far too many employers without a quota at present. I am prepared to do all I can to bring employers within the 3 per cent. requirement.

Mr. Leadbitter

My hon. Friend will agree that the expression of intent is made several times every year but is not followed by any specific action. Does he agree that the best way to encourage employers to take a proper quota of these workers is to examine the performance of all Government Departments, local authorities and public utilities? Does he agree that if the Government, as one of the largest employers in the land, were to set an example, other employers elsewhere might follow suit?

Mr. Walker

When I referred to a repetition of the present exercise which I have inaugurated, I did not see this as an on-going operation. My hon. Friend will appreciate that a consultative document was issued in 1973 on the future of the quota scheme. Therefore, until the necessary considerations and consultations have been completed we cannot reach final decisions. I agree that some Government Departments have fallen below the quota. I am very much aware of this fact and I have drawn it to the attention of the Departments concerned. I am now asking for information about what the House of Commons is doing in this respect. I hope that the authorities of the House will provide us with that information.