§ Mr. Wattasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is currently taking to ensure that Government Departments and local authorities employ at least their complement of registered disabled persons; and if he foresees any need for further legislation.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieThe officers in my Department and in the Scottish local authorties responsible for recruitment are fully aware of the Government's policy on the employment of registered disabled persons, and of the need to achieve a 3 per cent. complement, and they continue to work closely to this end
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SCOTTISH PUPILS STAYING ON VOLUNTARILY TO SV AND SVI: 1972–73 TO 1976–771 (a) Numbers (Thousands) 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 SV2 … 29.0 30.9 31.1 31.8 32.3 SVI … 15.9 16.3 14.7 14.1 14.6 (b) Percentage of SI pupils, four and five years previously SV … 33.0 35.7 35.3 35.3 36.4 SVI … 19.1 18.5 16.9 16.0 16.2 1Including pupils in education authority, grant-aided and independent schools. 2Excluding pupils in SV who left at the Christmas leaving date on reaching school-leaving age. with the specialist staff of the Manpower Services Commission. The efforts of all concerned might be expected to have more success as recruitment picks up, but much will always depend on the interest shown by the disabled in the particular vacancies on offer.
As announced in the Manpower Services Commission's programme for developing its employment and training service for disabled people, the Commission will be reviewing the quota scheme and towards the end of 1979 will be making recommendations to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment.