86. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons who have registered under the Disabled Persons Employment Act, the total number of such persons who are now unemployed; and what is the percentage of unemployed persons to the total number who have registered.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe total number of persons registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act on the 18th August, which is the latest available date, was 811,450; the number unemployed on the 15th September was 66,563, of whom 10,413 were classified as severely disabled and needing sheltered employment; the percentage of unem-182W ployment was 8.2 or, excluding the severely disabled, 6.9.
§ 90. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Labour if he will now raise the quota of disabled persons from 3 per cent.
§ Mr. IsaacsThis matter has recently been considered by the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled and as at present advised, I do not favour an immediate increase in the standard percentage obligation under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act. But I can assure my hon. Friend that the position is kept constantly under review.