§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to increase the number of registered disabled persons employed in the 205W Scottish Office and the Scottish Prison Service; and when he expects to achieve the 3 per cent. target in each case.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe officers in my Department with particular responsibility for the recruitment and career management of disabled persons will continue their efforts to achieve the 3 per cent. target, acting in accordance with the code of practice drawn up for the employment of such persons in Government Departments and working closely with the specialist staff of the Employment Service Agency. Little progress can be expected, however, at a time when many of the disabled staff who were taken on immediately after the last war are reaching retirement age, and while recruitment generally is on its present low scale. It has also to be recognised that there are severe limitations on the employment of disabled persons in the Prison Service where the nature of the work demands, in most posts, a high standard of physical fitness.