HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc345-6W
Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which employment area in Kent it is intended shall be covered by the proposed sheltered workshop in the Medway area.

Mr. Harold Walker

The proposed sheltered workshop in the Medway area is planned to cater for the sheltered employment needs of the severly disabled people living in the Chatham, Gravesend, Maidstone and Sittingbourne areas, and possibly parts of the Dartford and Sheerness areas.

Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why his Department does not consider the Gravesend employment area as qualifying under paragraph 3.46 of the consultative document for the provision of sheltered workshop facilities.

Mr. Harold Walker

On present evidence there are insufficient severely disabled people seeking employment in Gravesend to make a sheltered workshop viable. In the light of representations by my hon. Friend I am arranging for my officials, in consultation with the Kent

were registered; whilst about three-quarters of unemployed disabled people were registered. However exact information is not available.