§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement concerning the success of the programme of rigorous enforcement of the quota scheme in six selected areas which he announced on 3rd December 1974.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerIt is too early to give a final view on this as the data available are incomplete and have not yet been fully analysed.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance with travel to work can be given to disabled people by his Department and the Employment Services Agency; what has been the cost of such assistance in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many people benefited in that period; what action he is taking to publicise the help available; and if he will make a statement.
119W
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Employment Service Agency gives financial assistance to severely disabled people in need of special conditions of employment in cases where, because of their disabilities, the cost of their fares is excessive. In the last financial year the total cost of this assistance was £49,934. The number of people being helped at any one time has risen from about 250 to about 300 during the last 12 months. Information about this scheme is contained in a variety of leaflets produced for disabled people, employers and doctors, and further leaflets being prepared by the Employment Service Agency will include information on the scheme, which is also brought to the notice of individuals by disablement resettlement officers.