§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the steps her Department has been taking to increase 609W applications for employment in the National Health Service of registrable disabled persons; and if she will give the text of any policy statement that has been made on this matter from her Department.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe National Health Service, together with the Government, have a moral duty to lead by example in the employment of the disabled. Information on the present level of employment of the registered disabled within the National Health Service in England is currently being collated for me by the Department of Employment. In the light of this information, and having regard to the special factor of the onerous nature of much of the work in the National Health Service, guidance will be issued to health authorities. This guidance will supplement the existing advice to authorities, issued in 1957, a copy of which I shall send to my hon. Friend together with a copy of the Sir Henry Floyd Memorial Lecture which I gave at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital on 24th September 1975.