HC Deb 11 February 1971 vol 811 cc229-31W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to require the provision of access for the disabled to new buildings used as places of employment.

Mr. Dudley Smith

My right hon. Friend has no power to do this and as only a comparatively small proportion of disabled workers have ambulatory difficulties it would be inappropriate to seek legislation to impose a general requirement of this kind. The experience of disablement resettlement officers is that where difficulties occur, employers are generally willing to make arrangements to overcome them.

I am, however, considering what might be done to encourage employers to take the needs of disabled people into account when planning new premises.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why many factories built with financial support from public funds do not have accessibility provisions and suitable toilet facilities for the disabled at ground floor level.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Financial assistance for building factories is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The House will know that the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, has made some provision as regards accessibility to public buildings. As regards factories and other buildings which are not open to the public no general requirement has been made and I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to his previous Question.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware of the discrepancy of work opportunity for the disabled as between town and country; and if he will increase the number of designated employment jobs for the disabled.

Mr. Dudley Smith

It is difficult to get the exact evidence, but employment opportunities are possibly more restricted in some more remote areas. It is hard to see how the further designation of specific employment would help in such a situation. The advice of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled has always been against the extension of designated employment, but if the hon. Member will let me know more precisely what he has in mind, I will look into the matter.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what further research has been done by his Department regarding suitable employment for the seriously disabled who want to work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dudley Smith

My Department, in collaboration with the Royal National Institute for the Blind and St. Dunstan's, has commissioned the Production Engineering Research Association to study the needs and abilities of blind people operating industrial machines and processes and to identify machine tools and manufacturing processes which may be adapted for operation by blind people, with particular emphasis on new forms of conventional machines and new processes. Market research and surveys in the field of sheltered employment are regularly undertaken by Remploy Ltd. and Industrial Advisers to the Blind Ltd.; In general, my Department's officers constantly review the employment needs and potentialities of those registered severely disabled people who are capable of remunerative work.