HC Deb 06 June 1978 vol 951 cc11-2
5. Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he intends to take to reduce unemployment amongst disabled young people.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the measures previously announced to reduce unemployment among disabled people should benefit disabled young people equally. Specifically, consideration is being given to developing special projects for disabled young people under the new special programmes which came into force in April. It is also intended to expand the work preparation courses and short assessment courses provided especially for disabled young people at employment rehabilitation centres.

Mr. Ovenden

Will my hon. Friend accept that, although we all welcome the special provision being made within the youth opportunities scheme for disabled young people, their employment opportunities can be significantly improved only if the Manpower Services Commission adopts a much more urgent attitude towards the implementation and enforcement of the disabled employment quota? Will he impress on the MSC that that is absolutely vital?

Mr. Grant

I do not think that the quota is relevant here, although it is due for review in the fairly near future when the present positive policy has had rather more time to take effect. The MSC is particularly conscious of the importance of meeting the needs of disabled young people and has set up a special working group to look into ways in which their needs can be met and to try to develop more practical proposals for ensuring a fair share of job opportunities for disabled young people.

Mrs. Bain

In a week which has been designated National Access Week for the disabled, can the Minister outline what is being done in Government Departments to employ young disabled people? Has any survey been done within the Depart- ment of Employment itself which shows the level of its employment of disabled young people?

Mr. Grant

On Government Departments, I do not think that I can add to what I have said before in relation to the quota. However, I am grateful to the hon. Lady for mentioning National Access Week, because it allows me to welcome the steps taken in this respect by my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for the disabled and to draw the attention of employers to the capital grants scheme, which has been sorely ignored by employers so far. We have spent only £11,000 out of nearly £500,000 allocated for the scheme. That would certainly afford further access to employment for disabled young people as well as other disabled people.

Mr. Marten

Bearing in mind the fact that the aim of most countries is the integration of the disabled in normal life, may I ask the Minister what are the special projects to which he referred?

Mr. Grant

There is a whole list of them. If I may, I should like to write to the hon. Gentleman with the details.

Mr. Corbett

In view of the high number of disabled young people who are workless, when will the MSC's plans, good as they are, be translated into action?

Mr. Grant

I could go on at length about the activities of the MSC in respect of the disabled, particularly disabled young people, and its proposals in respect of employment rehabilitation centres. However, it would take up too much time to deal with those matters now, and I should prefer to write to my hon. Friend.