§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many registered disabled persons are registered as unemployed at offices of his Department covering the city of Birmingham; and how this compares with the past two years;
(2) how many employers in the area covered by his Department's Birmingham offices are not employing the 3 per cent. quota of registered disabled persons; and how this compares with the past two years.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the information is as shown below:
Unemployed registered disabled people Employment Office/Jobcentre 12th May 1977 May 1976 May 1975 Aston 380 419 304 Birmingham 134 135 145 Handsworth 182 170 144 Selly Oak 582 486 383 Sparkhill* 163 — — Sutton Coldfield 84 92 59 Small Heath 147 309 235 Washwood Heath 227 196 161 * Opened October 1976. The total as at 12th May includes people formerly registered as unemployed at Small Heath. On 1st June 1977, 721 firms in the areas covered by the above employment offices/jobcentres were not employing the 3 per cent. quota of registered disabled people compared with 754 in 1976 and 702 in 1975.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration has been given by his Department into the possibility of taking over existing industrial premises in Wales from companies that have gone into liquidation, for the purposes of converting the premises and 113W using the existing equipment as sheltered workshops for disabled persons.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that when it has been established that there is a sufficient number of severely disabled people for a further viable workshop in any area of Wales, all possible sources of premises and equipment will be considered on their merits.