§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many disabled people who are officials of his Department have been informed that they will not qualify for the job release scheme after the end of 1981 under the terms of circular D149/81 of 9 November 1981.
§ Mr. RossiI regret that this information is not available. Circular D149/81 informed all members of the54W Department's staff, whether disabled or not, Mat applications for job release to take effect after 31 December 1981 could not be approved because the Department would not be able to comply with the replacement provisions of the job release scheme.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has decided that the job release scheme should cease to operate in respect of officials of his Department; and if he will reconsider his decision.
§ Mr. RossiIn order to meet the Government's staff level requirements, the current level of recruitment to the Department is such that it is not possible at present to certify that an applicant for job release will be replaced in accordance with the conditions of the scheme.
However, we are keeping the position under review and will reconsider the decision should circumstances change.