§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to prevent discriminatory hiring practices aimed at epileptics; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1981]: I do not intend at this time to introduce any new measures. There are, of course, existing provisions which aim to assist epileptics and other disabled people to obtain employment. As the hon. Member will know, the statutory quota scheme is currently being reviewed by the MSC and I shall consider the commission's recommendations carefully before reaching a conclusion on its future.
Legislation of itself, however, cannot bring about the high level of understanding and awareness of the abilities of disabled people which is so essential if they are to take their rightful place in the country's work force. I believe that it is particularly important, therefore, in this the International Year of Disabled People, that we in this house play our part in influencing as many different groups as we can to recognize the abilities of disabled people and to eradicate many of the misconceptions that arise. People can have misplaced ideas about epilepsy although there are some 90,000 people with epilepsy in the United Kingdom work force, many of whom hold responsible jobs in a wide variety of occupations. Indeed the vast majority never experience any ill effects in their work at all. Because we need a much more balanced and positive approach to the 47W disabled employee the Government for their part will continue to give full support to the MSC's "Fit For Work" campaign. I am informed that the MSC, as part of that campaign recently issued guidance for employers about employing people with epilepsy. This was produced with the help of the British Epilepsy Association and it is an important part of the educative process that publications of this kind are as widely read as possible. I have asked for a copy to be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will seek during the year to restore all public expenditure cuts which have reduced the number of disabled resettlement officers and rehabilitation staff within the Manpower Services Commission, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1981]: There have to date been no public expenditure cuts which have reduced the number of disablement resettlement officers within the Manpower Services Commission (MSC).
The Government fully support the principles of the International Year of Disabled People. An important objective of the year is the further integration of disabled people into the work force, and we shall therefore continue to give positive support to the MSC' "Fit For Work" campaign.
But the Government's first priority must be to restore the economy so that all disadvantaged groups, including disabled people can benefit from new jobs becoming available.