Disabled Persons (Hansard, 11 April 1978)

§ 48. Mr. Hardy
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that progress is being made in the improvement of the access of disabled persons to public buildings and in public transport.

§ Mr. Alfred Morris
I am conscious that disabled people still meet difficulties of access to public buildings and public transport. These often arise as much from the attitudes of those responsible for the

Number of registered disabled employed Percentage of total workforce

West Midlands Regional Health Authority … … … 12 0.3

Area Health Authorities

Hereford and Worcester … … … … … 95 1.1

Salop … … … … … … … … 31 0.7

Staffordshire … … … … … … … 91 0.7

Warwickshire … … … … … … 34 0.6

Birmingham … … … … … … … 200 0.8

Coventry … … … … … … … 20 0.4

Dudley … … … … … … … 33 1.0

Sandwell … … … … … … … 4 0.1

Solihull … … … … … … … 14 0.6

Walsall … … … … … … … 17 0.7

Wolverhampton … … … … … … 19 0.5

I have expressed my concern at the average rate of employment of registered disabled people in the National Health Service; and I have written to the chairmen of all area health authorities asking for their help in increasing the numbers. We are currently considering further steps to improve the position. My right hon. Friend has also raised this matter recently with the chairmen of regional health authorities.
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management of such facilities as from the physical barriers themselves. It was with this in mind that I established last year the Silver Jubilee committee on improving access for disabled people and set it the task of improving general public awareness of the problems. I am pleased to report that the committee's campaign has already made an impact. At its suggestion, a number of first citizens have set up local groups which are promoting initiatives to improve access for disabled people. Following "Access Week", which takes place from 4th to 10th June, the committee will be producing a report which will include an account both of what has been achieved and what remains to be done in this important field.

§ Mr. Hodgson
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what number and what percentage of registered disabled persons are employed by the West Midlands Regional Health Authority and by each of the area health authorities in the region.

§ Mr. Alfred Morris
The following is the information requested as at 1st June 1977:

									Number of registered disabled employed	Percentage of total workforce
West Midlands Regional Health Authority	…	…	…	12	0.3
Area Health Authorities
Hereford and Worcester	…	…	…	…	…	95	1.1
Salop	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	31	0.7
Staffordshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	91	0.7
Warwickshire	…	…	…	…	…	…	34	0.6
Birmingham	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	200	0.8
Coventry	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	20	0.4
Dudley	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	33	1.0
Sandwell	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	4	0.1
Solihull	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	14	0.6
Walsall	…	…	…	…	…	…	…	17	0.7
Wolverhampton	…	…	…	…	…	…	19	0.5