§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what priority is given to sheltered workshops in respect of Government ordering by his Department or any industries sponsored by it; whether he will accept the recent recommendations of the National Advisory Council for the Employment of Disabled People in this respect; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantMine is not a purchasing Department, but I am responsible for sheltered employment policy. I welcome the recommendations of the NACEDP working party which reviewed the arrangements under which sheltered workshops obtain business from the public sector. An adequate supply of work at realistic prices is necessary if sheltered workshops are to provide suitable employment for severely disabled people. 593W and I have written to my colleagues asking that they give sympathetic consideration to the recommendations in the report.