HC Deb 27 March 1979 vol 965 cc233-5
1. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken to reduce the numbers of unemployed registered disabled people; and what further measures he proposes to take.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Grant)

A campaign, launched by the Manpower Services Commission in 1977, encouraged employers to adopt positive policies on the employment of disabled people. A considerable range of new and improved measures have been and are being introduced and there has been a substantial and encouraging increase in placings of disabled people in work by disablement resettlement officers. The Commission will implement its announced plans to develop employment and training services for disabled people over the next five to 10 years and will undertake a national publicity campaign this autumn. Meanwhile, the quota scheme is under active review by the Commission.

Mr. Ashley

I offer the Minister my warm congratulations on the scheme that he has outlined. The response of Ministers is important. Will the hon. Gentleman continue to persuade and press Ministers to implement the measures? If that fails, will he take firmer measures?

Mr. Grant

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remarks. We are not complacent about the matter. Getting disabled people to work is still a major problem. However, there has been a break-through with the increase last year of more than 10 per cent, over 1977 in placings by disabled resettlement officers. That represents a drop of 9,000 unemployed disabled persons. The extension of the job release scheme will be beneficial and we shall keep up the pressure.

Sir George Young

Is the Minister aware that the Civil Service, which plays an important role in the matter, is threatening to dismiss a blind constituent of mine who works for the Inland Revenue and who has passed all the necessary examinations? Is that not a poor example for the public sector to set the private sector?

Mr. Grant

The hon. Gentleman knows that I am aware of the case and we have corresponded on the matter. Primarily, it is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Civil Service Department, who has examined the matter carefully. It is a complex case and he has used his best endeavours to try to reach a satisfactory solution.

Mr. Spriggs

Will my hon. Friend contact employers in industrial areas—for example, St. Helens—and notify them of their responsibility to employ a certain percentage of disabled persons? Will he remind the employers that many disabled persons are highly trained and well worth the investment in employment?

Mr. Grant

I entirely agree with the last part of my hon. Friend's question. We are only too keen to ensure that disabled persons get equal opportunities in employment. All employers should be aware of their responsibilities. As I said earlier, the quota scheme is under active review and the Manpower Services Commission will be issuing a discussion document within about a month.

Mr. Hayhoe

Will the Minister acknowledge that there is support in all parts of the House for positive policies to increase the employment of the disabled? There is a need for further information to be supplied to employers since there is a blockage—I am sure not as a result of ministerial or governmental action—in communication on the matter.

Mr. Grant

I do not believe that there is a blockage in communication. The plain facts are that some employers do not face up to their responsibilities. Following the review of the quota scheme and the publication of the discussion document, many of the options will be found to be well worth discussing and it is to be hoped that a better system will be achieved.