HC Deb 15 July 1974 vol 877 cc25-6W
Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department will take steps to inform employers, trade unions and disabled persons of the percentage of disabled people which an employer should employ and to provide an explanatory leaflet for distribution to those most closely concerned with disabled people.

Mr. Harold Walker

Information is already provided by the resettlement services in the course of seeking employment opportunities for disabled people. In addition there is an annual inquiry of employers about the numbers of registered disabled people employed and a system of inspections. An explanatory leaflet is already available.

Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the number of disabled people who are employed in the St. Helens employment exchange area, and the number of disabled people resident in St. Helens, who have signed the register for one, two or more years for employment without success.

Mr. Harold Walker

At the annual count in April, 2,254 people in the area of St. Helens employment office were registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act. Of these, 440 were known to be unemployed. Most of the remainder were probably in employment, but it is impossible to give a specific figure. On 8th July 1974 the number of registered disabled people in St. Helens known to have been continuously unemployed for a year or more was 284. Information as to the number who had been unemployed for two or more years is not available.