§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps have been taken to promote the employment of more disabled people in the Civil Service following the statement by the Under-Secretary of State for Employment in the House on 10th December 1975.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI have consulted my colleagues the Minister with12W special responsibility for the disabled and the Under-Secretary of State for Employment, on the ways in which the performance of Departments might be improved in this field. My Department has recently issued guidance on a package of proposals which is designed to ensure that suitably qualified disabled people are fully aware of the opportunities in the Civil Service, and that particular care is taken in the career development of disabled people.
To encourage recruitment, Departments will ensure that national and regional offices are aware of the potentialities of disabled people; more formal links will be established with the Disablement Resettlement Service of the Employment Services Agency so that opportunities available in the Civil Service are more widely known; and advertisements in the media directed at disabled people will be considered. In addition, applicants for employment will be reminded that a physical handicap or disability is no cause for rejection provided that it will not prevent satisfactory service, and registered disabled applicants for clerical vacancies may sit special tests if they lack the formal educational qualifications. A code of practice will be issued to each Government Department covering the whole range of the employment of disabled people.
The Minister with special responsibility for the disabled has also been in touch with ministerial colleagues in all Departments of State about the appointment of suitably qualified or experienced disabled people to public boards and other bodies.