§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek powers to make the payment of temporary employment subsidy dependent on applicants meeting their obligations to employ disabled workers or being in possession of exemption certificates.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerMy right hon. Friend already has powers to amend or change the temporary employment subsidy scheme, but to use these powers for the purpose suggested would be unlikely to promote the employment prospects of unemployed disabled people.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress he has made in his discussions with nationalised industries concerning the publication of information concerning employment of disabled workers; and if he will now publish the numbers and percentage of such workers employed by each nationalised industry.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI have asked my hon. Friends, the Ministers concerned, to make the necessary approaches to the major nationalised industries. In the 63W meantime it would not be appropriate to publish these figures.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many firms in the Medway employment area are currently meeting their quota obligations concerning the employment of disabled workers; how many hold exemption certificates and how many not in possession of such exemption employ less than the quota obligation; and how these figures compare with the position 12 months previously;
Medway area (Including Gravesend) Gravesend area 1974 1975 1974 1975 Number of firms which satisfied their quota obligations 191 195 21 33 Number of firms which did not satisfy their quota and had been issued with permits 121 144 18 26 Number of firms which did not satisfy their quota and had not been issued with permits 147 146 35 9