HC Deb 16 October 1973 vol 861 cc103-4W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress he has made in reviewing the operation of Section 15 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 regarding the provision of capital grants for disabled persons unable to obtain or sustain normal work as an employee; how many persons obtained grants under this section in each of the last two years; and what plans he has to increase this number soon to a substantial degree.

TOWNS OUTSIDE LONDON WHERE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AGAINST OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS TO DO WITH CONDITIONS IN SMALL CLOTHING FACTORIES
Manchester Wolverhampton Reigate Glasgow Walsall Newcastle
Birmingham Coventry Liverpool Stockport Derby Bolton
Leeds Nottingham Leicester Cambridge Stoke-on-Trent

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS TAKEN DURING 1970–73 AGAINST OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF SMALL CLOTHING FACTORIES OUTSIDE LONDON
Offence Informations Laid Penalties

(£)

Fire Alarms
Not provided 11 150, 100, 75, 50 (2), 20 (2), 10 (3), 5
Not maintained 4 100, 75 (2), 60
Not tested 4 60, 25, 20, 5
Test not recorded 2 20,2
Fire Exits
Locked, obstructed or otherwise not maintained. 31 200, 100 (2), 50 (5), 30 (2), 25 (3), 20 (7), 10 (7), 5, 2, admonished (2)
Fire-Fighting Equipment
Not provided 4 25, 15, 10 (2)
Fire Certificates
No certificate 4 50, 25 (2), 5
Failure to comply with terms of fire certificate 2 10 (2)
Failure to notify changes 1 20
Court order (danger of fire) 3 (1 lifted later) Order made (3)
Dangerous Machinery, Plant and Premises
Fencing of machinery 3 25, 20 (2)
Steam boiler not examined 1 100
Steam boiler—certificate not available 1 30
Steam boiler—maximum permissible working pressure not marked. 2 30(2)

Mr. Dudley Smith

A review of my Department's scheme has been made as part of a wide-ranging review of the whole field of sheltered employment. It will be one of the topics considered in a consultative document on sheltered employment which we expect to publish before the end of this year.

Seven severely disabled people received capital grants to set up businesses on their own account in each of the last two years.