§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will, during the International Year of Disabled People, take steps to ensure that private employers fulfil the 3 per cent. employment quota for the registered disabled, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1981]: Employers of 20 or more workers, except Crown bodies, have a duty to employ a 3 per cent. quota of registered disabled people under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944. It is not an offence to be below quota, but employers in this situation have certain statutory obligations concerning the recruitment and retention of registered disabled people. I am informed by the Manpower Services. Commission (MSC) that it will continue to remind employers of their obligations during the International Year of Disabled People.
However, the number of registered disabled people has declined in recent years to such an extent that it is no longer mathematically possible for all employers with a duty under the scheme to employ the full quotas of registered disabled people.
The scheme is being reviewed by the MSC and I shall consider the commission's recommendations carefully before reaching a conclusion on its future.
Whatever the legislative framework I am convinced that the way to achieve major advances in the employment of disabled people will come through a greater and well-informed understanding by employers of the real potential disabled people have to offer. It is for that reason that I fully support the MSC's initiative to promote more and better job opportunities for both registered and unregistered disabled people through its "Fit for Work" campaign, which emphasises the need to look for ability first.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the statement in the Manpower Services Commission's corporate plan 1981–85 that the employment service will lose over 800 staff, mainly in the jobcentres, but also in services for disabled people, he will indicate which services for disabled people are to be lost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 21 January 1981, c. 93]: My right hon. Friend has received the Manpower Services Commission's—MSC—corporate plan and is studying the proposals.
The plan does not envisage that any services for disabled people are to be lost. However, it does emphasise the importance of the services provided by jobcentres to all MSC's clients, including disabled people. The MSC considers that it is in the interests of those most likely to have difficulty in finding jobs that the employment service should so far as possible maintain its share of vacancies. In addition, the self-service provided by jobcentres offers equal facilities to all job seekers.
My right hon. Friend has yet to reply to the commission's proposals as set out in its corporate plan.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the projected reduction in services to disabled people set out in the Manpower Services Commission's corporate plan 1981–82, he is satisfied that adequate provision will exist to enable disabled people to be given all possible help to obtain employment.
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§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 21 January 1981, c. 93]: My right hon. Friend has received the Manpower Services Commission's corporate plan and is now considering the proposals for disabled people contained in it.