HC Deb 28 July 1981 vol 9 cc406-7W
44. Mr. Trippier

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will more widely publicise the maximum salary allowed to be drawn by those in receipt of benefit under the job release scheme for disabled people.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Job release allowance is not affected by earnings that do not exceed £4 per week. This is clearly stated in the leaflets that describe the job release scheme, on the form completed by all applicants and on the letter of acceptance sent to all applicants. I am satisfied that this is sufficient.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what plans there are in the "Open Tech" and "New Training Initiative" proposals that take into account the learning problems of handicapped students and other handicapped people who may wish to re-enter the labour force;

(2) having regard to the disproportionately large number of handicapped workers who are unskilled, he has any plans in the "Open Tech" and "New Training Initiative" proposals to take into account the learning problems of these handicapped workers;

(3) if he will give for the latest available date, the numerical and percentage change in the number of (a) registered, (b) unregistered and (c) total disabled people who have been unemployed since May 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that abandoning the quota system for disabled people will still leave adequate job protection for the registered disabled, maintain incentives for employers to hire disabled people and maintain equal opportunities for disabled people.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 23 July.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs have now been created for disabled (a) young people, (b) men, (c) women and (d) people as a whole as a direct result of the Manpower Services Commission's "Fit for Work" campaign.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Sir David Price) on 2 June 1981.—[Vol. 5, c. 323.]

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