§ Mr. Matesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the total numbers on the disablement register for the last three years; and what are the criteria for registration.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe total figures on the date of the annual count were: 16th April 1973, 597, 305; 15th April 1974, 574, 640; 21st April 1975, 557, 217. A person who wishes his name to be entered in the register must make application to the Secretary of State in the prescribed manner.
A disabled person is defined in the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 as
a person who, on account of injury, disease or congenital deformity, is substantially handicapped in obtaining or keeping employment, or in undertaking work on his own account, 276W of a kind which apart from that injury, disease or deformity would be suited to his age, experience and qualification".Criteria affecting registration are set out in the Act and in the Disabled Persons (Registration) Regulations 1945 and are related to likely duration of the disability, age, nationality, residence in Great Britain, character, willingness to undertake vocational training or employment rehabilitation, desire to work and prospects of obtaining and keeping it.