§ 92. Mr. Raikesasked the Minister of Labour the numbers of insured workers employed by firms having quota obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act in Liverpool; the numbers of registered disabled persons and the numbers of such persons unemployed in the Liverpool district; and the quota which would need to be observed to reduce unemployment amongst the disabled to that obtaining for all insured workers in the Liverpool district.
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§ Mr. IsaacsThe information requested in the first part of the Question is not available. The number of persons registered as disabled in the Liverpool district is 20,333 of whom 2,852 were unemployed on 19th January last. It is not possible to make the calculation asked for in the last part of the Question.
§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour if he will inquire into the position of the employment exchange at Great Harwood where 13 registered disabled men have been unemployed for more than 52 weeks and 9 being unemployed for 26–52 weeks; and what evidence is there that able bodied unemployed have been placed into employment that could have been performed by a disabled man.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes. The efforts of the employment exchange have succeeded in reducing the number of disabled unemployed from 55 to 31 during the last five months. I can assure the hon. Member that every possible effort will continue to be made. Many of the men in question are near or over 60 years of age and some are seriously disabled. There is no indication that able bodied persons have been engaged in this district, contrary to the Disabled Persons Employment Act, for jobs for which these men might have been engaged.
§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour if information can be given regarding the six severely disabled unemployed at Great Harwood, the length of unemployment, the nature of their disabilities; and whether consideration has been given to placing them into the training schemes.
§ Mr. IsaacsOne of these six men has now been placed in employment. Particulars of the other five are as follows:
Age. Disability Period since last employed. 64 Severe bowel operation 4 months 53 Double leg amputation 16 months 52 Myocarditis and injuries to spine and pelvis 6 months. 58 Rheumatoid-Arthritis 2 years 9 months 56 Leg Paralysis 2 years 4 months These disabilities are such as to make it exceptionally difficult to fit them into suitable employment, but special efforts will 321W continue to be made. In so far as vocational training may be required for any available job within their physical capacity facilities will be arranged.