§ 1. Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people he estimates could benefit from the sheltered placement scheme.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Robert Jackson)This year, about 6,700 people with severe disabilities are benefiting from the sheltered placement scheme.
§ Mr. WigleyIs the Minister aware that about 270,000 people with severe disabilities are in open employment, that another 100,000 are looking for employment and that that compares with only about 6,500 whom the hon. Gentleman says are being offered opportunities in the sheltered placement scheme? In view of the success that Germany is having, with about 90,000 people in such a scheme, will the Minister consider introducing the levy system that exists in Germany to penalise employers who do not offer opportunities to disabled people?
§ Mr. JacksonThe hon. Gentleman is referring to the figures in the report "Employment and Handicap" which are encouraging. They show that substantial numbers of people with severe disabilities are in open employment. But we must continue to provide special placements for others. The hon. Gentleman refers to Germany. Although we are not persuaded that that would be the right approach, we are looking at the whole range of ways of supporting people with disabilities in employment.
§ Mr. ThurnhamWas my hon. Friend encouraged by the survey showing that nearly 1 million people with substantial disabilities are in work? Does he agree that that adds support to the campaign for a new logo for firms employing disabled people?
§ Mr. JacksonMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. We think that the most effective approach to supporting 800 people—there is no disagreement in the House about the importance of helping people with disabilities into employment—is through persuasion and encouragement. The initiative to which my hon. Friend refers is important and we hope that many companies will take it up.