§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many epileptics are currently registered with the district resettlement officer in Ipswich and, yearly, since 1964.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerIn the Ipswich local office area on 15th April 1974, the latest date for which information is available, there were 26 registered disabled people whose main disability was epilepsy.
The figures for previous years are as follows:
1973 31 1972 28 1971 37 1970 40 Information on the earlier years is not readily available.
§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Employment in view of the present shortage of facilities at Government training centres for epileptics in the use of machinery, if he will issue advice to these centres so that those who suffer 323W from epilepsy could be trained in the use of machinery to the best of their abilities.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there is no shortage of places at skillcentres—formerly Government training centres—for training epileptics in trades involving the use of machinery, provided they are fit both for training and subsequent employment in those skills. People suffering from epilepsy are trained alongside able-bodied and other disabled people in skillcentres. Any hazard to the individual himself, or to other trainees which might result from an epileptic attack is carefully assessed by the Employment Medical Adviser (EMA) in consultation with the trainee's own doctor before entry to training. The EMA, in conjunction with the skillcentre staff, monitors progress during training. If my hon. Friend has a particular difficulty in mind however, the commission would be glad to look into it.