HC Deb 04 February 1971 vol 810 cc439-40W
Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the rate of unemployment among registered disabled persons.

Mr. Dudley Smith

On 7th December, 1970, 12.0 per cent. of registered disabled persons were registered as unemployed.

Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of firms obliged to employ a quota of disabled persons are fulfilling their obligations.

Mr. Dudley Smith

42.7 per cent. A considerable number of firms fail to satisfy the quota obligation because those available do not have the skill or experience to meet the requirements, or in some cases, because they have disabilities which make them unsuitable for a particular working environment, or, again because of personal factors, such as immobility which create difficulties.

Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the have been on the register. A less-detailed analysis is made for other months. The following table shows information from both analyses:

rate of unemployment among registered disabled persons in development areas.

Mr. Dudley Smith

On 7th December, 1970, the rate of unemployment among registered disabled persons in the development areas as a whole was 16 per cent.

Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he is taking to draw the attention of employers to their legal obligations to employ a quota of disabled persons.

Mr. Dudley Smith

All employers with a quota obligation are written to annually and subsequently visited as necessary. In addition the Confederation of British Industry was approached at the end of 1969 and gave the matter some publicity among employer's associations. A similar approach was made to local authority associations. I hope shortly to have discussions with Rotary International, Junior Chambers of Commerce and similar organisations with a view to intensifying local initiatives in finding job opportunities for the disabled. My right hon. Friend is also extending the inspection of records employers are required to keep under the 1944 Disabled Persons (Employment) Act.