§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered blind, male and female, are unemployed; what are their aces; and if he will give separate figures for Scotland, England and Wales.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe number of blind people registered with my Depart-
Scotland England Wales Total M F M F M F M F 1971 … 88 17 658 109 35 7 781 133 1970 … — — — — — — 747 127 1969 … — — — — — — 759 137 1968 … — — — — — — 680 124 1967 … — — — — — — 613 105
§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the average wages of registered blind persons, male and female, in Scotland, England and Wales during the last five years to the nearest available date.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithBlind people are employed in all types of work—professional, managerial, executive, commercial, technical and industrial, both skilled and unskilled, and they are paid the rate for the job.
Blind people employed in sheltered workshops are paid rates negotiated through the National Joint Council for Workshops for the Blind. The current basic rate for men is £20 in London and £18 in other areas. There are additional payments for long service and incentive bonuses.