§ 1. Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take action to prevent redundancies at sheltered workshops.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Harold Walker)Decisions about redundancies in sheltered workshops are a matter for those who are responsible for their management. My Department has relaxed its rules about financial support, to avoid redundancy where possible but, regrettably, in a few cases local management has been unable to prevent it occurring.
§ Mr. HannamIs the Minister aware of the deep concern felt about the failure of his Department to prevent the redundancies of nine workers at the Exeter sheltered workshop, despite the offers of other workers to share work and reduce their hours to prevent this type of unemployment? Does this not run contrary to the declaration in his recent statement about unemployment among disabled people?
§ Mr. WalkerI am sure the hon. Gentleman knows that responsibility for the Exeter workshop and its management rests with the Devon County Council. I share his great regret that the lack of work 1104 has caused this situation. I hope that by raising this matter he will have drawn the attention of those responsible for the flow of work to the need to increase it.
§ Mr. MartenIs there any figure for redundancies in sheltered workshops?
§ Mr. WalkerI cannot give an overall figure, though I know that it is very small. There are difficulties in places other than Exeter. One or two other workshops have experienced some problems. If the hon. Member wishes, I shall write to him with the information he seeks.