§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many severely disabled people have received help under the business on own account scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. EggarThe information requested about the number of severely disabled people helped under the business on own account scheme for each of the last five years is given in the table:
Number of approvals 1985–86 5 1986–87 1 1987–88 6 1988–89 8 1989–90 7
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department has taken to ensure that 3 per cent. of its work force is registered disabled people.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 5 April 1990]: The Employment Department group has developed a number of initiatives to attract, retain and develop more staff with disabilities, both registered and unregistered. Specific 839W measures include guaranteed interviews for registered disabled people with the minimum educational qualifications; surveys of the needs of staff with disabilities and appropriate remedial action; new guidance for management; the improvement of outreach to organisations of and for people with disabilities; the development of arrangements for staff with severe mobility difficulties to work at home, the routine consideration of access to buildings, training and developmental opportunities and the provision in operational plans for special aids and equipment.