HC Deb 16 November 1970 vol 806 cc322-3W
101. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will call a special conference with leading industrialists to discuss how technology can be utilised to enable more disabled people to be employed in open industry.

107. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will call a conference representing those directly concerned to discuss the use of technology to assist the disabled to earn a living; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

I am glad the hon. Members have drawn attention to the subject of the employment of the disabled, which is a matter of continuous concern to the Government and in particular to my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Employment and the Secretary of State for the Social Services. Discussions already take place between industry and the Department of Employment on this subject and I do not think a special conference on the lines the hon. Members suggest is necessary.

EXPORTS
O.S. $ million f.o.b.
Belgium-Luxembourg France German Federal Republic Italy Netherlands Total EEC United Kingdom
1958 … 3,053 5,120 8,807 2,536 3,217 22,734 9,495
1959 … 3,298 5,614 9,804 2,895 3,607 25,218 9,951
1960 … 3,775 6,856 11,415 3,649 4,028 29,723 10,609
1961 … 3,924 7,208 12,687 4,188 4,307 32,314 11,074
1962 … 4,324 7,360 13,264 4,666 4,585 34,197 11,374
1963 … 4,839 8,080 14,616 5,047 4,962 37,543 12,222
1964 … 5,590 8,990 16,215 5,956 5,808 42,559 12,782
1965 … 6,382 10,048 17,892 7,188 6,393 47,904 13,723
1966 … 6,829 10,886 20,134 8,032 6,752 52,634 14,714
1967 … 7,032 11,378 21,736 8,702 7,287 56,135 14,424
1968 … 8,164 12,672 24,843 10,183 8,342 64,204 15,442
1969 … 10,065 14,880 29,052 11,729 9,965 75,692 17,614