HC Deb 03 December 1973 vol 865 cc280-1W
Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much his Department spent in 1972 in providing employment aids for blind people.

Mr. Dudley Smith

In the year ended 31st March 1973 it is estimated that approximately £7,000 was spent by my Department on the provision of employment aids for blind people.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many blind people are registered as unemployed in the Southampton area ; what percentage this is of the total employed blind people in the area ; and how this compares with the national average of unemployment for blind people.

Mr. Dudley Smith

On 28th November, 14 people were registered as unemployed in the Southampton area. This represented 32.5 per cent. of those blind people in the area registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944. The corresponding national figure was 10.7 per cent.