Remploy (Hansard, 12 January 2000)

§ Mr. Tom Clarke
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has received a copy of the Bourton report on Remploy; and what plans he has to make the Bourton report available to(a) hon. Members, (b) employee representatives and (c) the general public. [104095]

§ Ms Hodge
As the Minister responsible for Remploy, I can confirm that I have received a copy of the interim report from the Bourton Group on Remploy. This report is a commercially sensitive document about the strategic development and management of a competitive company. For that reason I do not intend to make copies of the report more widely available.

§ Mr. Tom Clarke
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in the consultation exercise on the future of Remploy factories. [104096]

§ Ms Hodge
Consultation about the current Remploy Corporate Plan (1999–2002) has been extensive. Remploy employees, trade union officials, relevant Local Authorities and local MPs/Members of the Welsh Assembly have all been given full opportunity to give input and discuss the Plan with Directors of Remploy.
In addition, since 15 September 1999 there have been five meetings between representatives of the Remploy Trades Union Consortium and the Board of Directors of Remploy to discuss the Corporate Plan for 2000–03. These meetings have been constructive. This consultation is due to finish later this month. No final decisions will be made on any modernisation proposals until this consultation is concluded.
All those with an interest in Remploy are also being invited to contribute to the Quinquennial Review of Remploy. The prior option stage of the review, which was announced in the House on 18 November, is due to be completed by the end of March 2000.
Finally, my officials have been undertaking a consultation exercise about how the Supported Employment Programme as a whole could be developed to open up more opportunities for disabled people to work and progress into open employment. A wide range of organisations and individuals have responded, including trade unions, voluntary and statutory organisations and any others with an interest in the employment of people with disabilities. The responses are currently being collated and analysed.

Age bands 16–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–49 50+ Total

Non Prison Service Home Office as at 1 April 1999

(a) Men¹ 9 159 541 810 748 665 760 1,471 5,163

(b) Women 32 286 882 1,145 920 629 643 1,028 5,565

Grand total 41 445 1,423 1,955 1,668 1,294 1,403 2,499 10,728

Prison Service as at 21 December 1999

(a) Men 39 515 1,886 4,692 5,552 4,770 4,396 10,128 31,978

(b) Women 69 822 1,615 2,057 2,054 1,599 1,323 2,010 11,549

Grand total 109 1,337 3,501 6,749 7,606 6,369 5,719 12,138 43,528

¹ Figures are for permanent non-industrial staff

Age bands	16–19	20–24	25–29	30–34	35–39	40–44	45–49	50+	Total
Non Prison Service Home Office as at 1 April 1999
(a) Men¹	9	159	541	810	748	665	760	1,471	5,163
(b) Women	32	286	882	1,145	920	629	643	1,028	5,565
Grand total	41	445	1,423	1,955	1,668	1,294	1,403	2,499	10,728
Prison Service as at 21 December 1999
(a) Men	39	515	1,886	4,692	5,552	4,770	4,396	10,128	31,978
(b) Women	69	822	1,615	2,057	2,054	1,599	1,323	2,010	11,549
Grand total	109	1,337	3,501	6,749	7,606	6,369	5,719	12,138	43,528
¹ Figures are for permanent non-industrial staff