HC Deb 13 June 1972 vol 838 cc272-3W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will increase the size of capital grants to assist the disabled artisan and professional to obtain employment; if he is aware of the hardship caused by the present level of such grants; if he will review his Department's policy on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dudley Smith

I will certainly look at this possibility. As I indicated during the Adjournment debate on this subject on 7th March, the feasibility of expanding my Department's scheme of capital grants to help severely disabled people set up in business on their own account is under active consideration as part of a more general review of the services provided for disabled people.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware that considerable numbers of people cannot obtain a job because they have not got the equipment, other than vehicles, but cannot obtain such equipment until they get a job; if he will review his Department's policy on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dudley Smith

I am not aware that any general problem calling for a major change of policy exists. Under my Department's scheme to help severely disabled people, tools and equipment can be supplied as soon as a suitable job is found. Until then the precise employment aids required will not usually be known. However if the hon. Member has in mind any particular cases of difficulty and will let me have details I shall be very ready to investigate them.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is now taking to ensure full compliance with the law affecting the employment of disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Our disablement resettlement officers are constantly in touch with employers to help them to fill their quota of registered disabled persons and generally to comply with their obligations under the quota scheme—to which the hon. Member's Question presumably refers. My Department also introduced in September last year a new national programme of inspection of the records which employers are required to keep under the provisions of the quota scheme. Moreover all aspects of the scheme have recently been reviewed internally and my right hon. Friend will as soon as possible be consulting the National Advisory Council on the Employment of the Disabled and other bodies concerned as to whether any changes are necessary.