§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will give for the latest most convenient stated date the number of male and female registered blind workers employed in his Department; and whether he will take whatever action may be open to him to increase this number as and when convenient and suitable vacancies become available.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithSeventy-two male and 28 female staff on 23rd June 1972. My Department accepts its responsibility to employ blind people wherever possible and they are considered for suitable vacancies as available. We are actively considering, in consultation with other Departments, what further action can be taken to increase the numbers of registered disabled people, including the blind, employed in the Civil Service.