§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many partially disabled persons are registered for employment in the Blaydon employment 122W exchange area; for what periods they have been unemployed; and what employment opportunities are available to them.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerOn 8th July, 105 registered disabled people were unemployed in the area covered by the Blaydon employment exchange. Of them, three have been unemployed for up to six weeks; 10 for seven to 13 weeks; 10 for 14 to 26 weeks; eight for 26 to 52 weeks; and 74 for over 52 weeks.
The employment opportunities in ordinary industry in the area are predominantly in the heavier industries. Despite this difficulty the disablement resettlement officer placed 69 registered disabled people during the year ended June 1974 as compared with 53 in the preceding year.
There are three sheltered workshops in the area providing employment for severely disabled people. Newcastle Remploy factory employs 167 people and Gateshead employs 80. The workshop for the blind at Benwell employs 65. A survey has shown a need for further sheltered workshop places in North Tyneside. The Department is in touch with Remploy and with the local authorities on the question of how and when the additional provision can be made.