§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she proposes to take to improve the wages and earnings of blind workers.
§ Mr. DellThose blind workers who are employed in ordinary industry receive the normal rates for the job. The wages and service conditions of blind workers employed in workshops for the blind are matters for determination by the National Joint Council for Workshops for the Blind.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proposals she has for training blind workers in suitable skills for modern industry.
§ Mr. DellFor those blind persons suitable for employment under ordinary conditions facilities are available at the Letchworth Government Training Centre for training in light engineering. Supplementary training as necessary is given on the job by a small team of Blind Persons Training Officers. An informal working party recently examined the industrial training facilities available for the blind and its recommendations have been or are being implemented. Arising from these recommendations I propose in collaboration with St. Dunstan's and the Royal National Institute for the Blind to commission Production Engineering Research Association to undertake research and development work including a review of industrial machines and processes with particular emphasis on new forms of conventional machines and new production processes in relation to the needs and abilities of bling workers.
To meet the needs of blind workers employed in workshops for the blind a non-profit-making Company, Industrial Advisers to the Blind Limited, was set up in 1964 as recommended by the 122W Stewart Working Party on Workshops for the Blind. This Company, which is sponsored by my Department, has been helping workshops for the blind to introduce modern industrial work in place of traditional handcrafts and gives assistance with the retraining of workers. I am encouraging workshops to use the services of the Company and the number doing so is increasing.