HC Deb 17 April 1947 vol 436 cc34-5W
Mr. Sharp

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made by the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation Limited; how many disabled persons are now being employed; and what developments will be secured by the grant from his Department of £1,750,000, during 1947–48.

Mr. Isaacs

The Disabled Persons Employment Corporation has now six factories at Bridgend, Longton, Salford, King's Norton, Edinburgh and Bermondsey. Three hundred and thirty-three severely disabled persons were employed in these factories on 19th March, 1947. Plans are in hand for the setting up of a further 98 factories to employ about 8,900 severely disabled persons. It is hoped that 13 of these will be opened by the end of 1947.

Mr. Sharp

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give a schedule of the factories and workshops already established in the West Riding of Yorkshire by the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation Limited, showing the type of employment, the numbers employed, and the developments proposed during 1947.

Mr. Isaacs

No factories have yet been established in the West Riding of Yorkshire by the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation Limited. The following schedule gives the current programme which is to be completed as soon as possible.

Location No. of workers Proposed types of employment
Leeds 100–150 Woodworking
Light mechanical assembly
Finishing products
Leeds 100–150 No final decision
Huddersfield 100 Leather work
Light mechanical assembly
Woodworking
Finishing products
Castleford Pontefract 100–150 No final decision
Wakefield 50–100 Woodworking
Light mechanical assembly
Finishing products
Halifax 40 Electrical blanket manufacture
Bradford 133–200 Light mechanical assembly
Leatherwork
Weaving
Electrical blanket manufacture
Sheffield 200 Light mechanical assembly
Leatherwork
Finishing product,
Sheffield 50 Saw manufacture
Mexborough 50–100 No final decision
Rotherham 50–100 No final decision
Barnsley 133–200 Woodworking
Light mechanical assembly
Finishing products

It is hoped that the Halifax factory will be opened within the next two months and that at Huddersfield within the next six months. It is not possible to say whether any of the other factories will be completed in 1947