§ 19. Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many persons are employed by the Commission in the House; if in this respect any arrangements exist for positive discrimination in favour of the disabled in any of the Departments of the House; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BeithThe total number of persons employed by the House of Commons Commission, including part-time workers, was 913 at 1 January 1985. The Commission's policy on the employment of disabled persons remains as set out in its fourth annual report 1981–82, which made clear its concern to ensure that very opportunity is taken to employ disabled people in the House's service.
§ Mr. MorrisWill the hon. Gentleman put to the Commission the need for some measure of positive discrimination to increase the number of disabled people employed in the House? Will he suggest a pilot experiment for 12 months among, say, the Hansard clerical staff—the results to be reported to the Commission by the Editor — as a guide to future policy in employing disabled people? Meanwhile, will he say what percentage of employees of the House are disabled?
§ Mr. BeithThe Commission's policy is already that preference should be given to a registered disabled person where the merits of candidates are otherwise equally balanced. That is drawn to the attention of all recruitment boards. If the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting that we should extend that principle in new ways, he should let me have more details so that the matter can be considered. I welcome the right hon. Gentleman's interest, in view of his experience in such matters. The Commission remains anxious to ensure that the disabled have every opportunity of employment at all levels and in all Departments. At present the proportion of full-time disabled employees is about 1 per cent. but that does not include the disabled people who work in the House for other agencies.