§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce facilities whereby disabled persons in categories 3 and 4 can manufacture articles at home; whether he will reduce to 15 employees the level at which it is obligatory upon employers to employ a quota of registered disabled persons; what other steps he will take to secure the absorption of more disabled men into employment; and what reply he has made to representations from the Brent-ford and Chiswick Borough Council on this subject.
§ Mr. IsaacsA start has already been made on arrangements to provide home work where practicable for those of the severely disabled who cannot go out to work and these arrangements will be developed. In reply to the second part, an obligation on employers of 15 workers would have no practical effect because 3 per cent. of 15 is less than one-half and must therefore, by the terms of the Act, be ignored. In reply to the third part, I shall with the help of the National Advisory Council consider the many suggestions which, at my request, local disablement committees are making. I am replying to the borough council accordingly.