§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Paymaster General what conclusions have been reached on recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the quota scheme for the employment of disabled people.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe have considered carefully the Manpower Services Commission's advice and the report of the working group it set up to consider ways of improving the effectiveness of the scheme within the framework of exisiting legislation. The report of working group, which comprised representatives of the interested parties. makes it clear that without further information, in particular about the potential for encouraging more disabled people to register, it will be difficult to decide how effective our quota scheme might be and what should be the appropriate level of public resources allocated to it. It will also be difficult to settle questions such as how far compliance by employers with the duty to employ the 3 per cent. quota is possible and what resource should be devoted to it.
The working group recommended further research into the size of the disabled working population and its characteristics. The Government welcome and have accepted this recommendation.
Because the quota scheme remains in force it is important to promote greater awareness of both its potential for disabled people and the responsibility of employers. The Government welcome and accept the working group's recommendation for the involvement of all interested parties in this task.
Without further information it is not possible to judge how far the working group's recommendations for tightening up enforcement of and compliance with the scheme will he effective and whether the increased staff and expenditure needed would represent the best use of resources available. We will consider these recommendations further when the results of the research are known.
I have today written to the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission outlining the Government's decision and have asked officials to take forward the accepted recommendations as quickly as possible.
My right hon. Friends and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who served on the commission's working group and were involved in producing its valuable report.