Disabled Persons

HC Deb 18 May 1977 vol 932 cc165-7W

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South on 28th March 1977, he is now able to say which employers will be covered by the Manpower Services Commission scheme of capital grants and adaptations to premises and equipment for disabled people; when the scheme is to be introduced; and what will be the extent and level of employers' contributions.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that all private employers will be covered by the scheme, as will local authorities, health authorities and nationalised industries. The position relating to Government Departments is still under consideration. It is hoped to introduce the scheme within the next few months. The extent and level of employers' contributions is still under consideration.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the operation of the temporary employment subsidy for employers recruiting registered disabled people.

Mr. John Grant

The Temporary Employment Subsidy (TES) is not a recruitment subsidy. TES offers a subsidy of £20 per week for up to a maximum of 12 months—18 months if TES supplement is obtained—for each full-time job preserved where an employer agrees to defer an impending redundancy affecting 10 or more workers in an establishment. The scheme covers all employment in the private sector of industry and commerce throughout Great Britain and all employees may be included. There are no special provisions relating to disabled people.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of unemployed registered disabled people over the age of 60 years; and what proportion of these have been unemployed for (a) over one year and (b) over five years.

Mr. John Grant

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that on 13th January 1977, the latest date on which information is available, 14,104 registered disabled people over the age of 60 years were unemployed in Great Britain, of whom 9,062, or 64.3 per cent., had been unemployed for over one year. No information is available about the number unemployed for over five years.