HC Deb 11 March 1980 vol 980 cc493-4W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the fact that at present the unemployment rate amongst the registered disabled is twice that of the average working population.

Mr. Jim Lester

While in recent years the increase in the unemployment rate for registered disabled people has been less than the increase in the general rate, the employment prospects of disabled people as a whole remain a matter of concern to us and we attach great importance to assisting disabled people find suitable employment.

Our continuing support for the MSC's "Fit for Work" campaign, the awards scheme and resettlement schemes for disabled people reflects that concern.