§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that more disabled persons are employed by the Rochdale Area Health Authority.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI wrote to all health authority chairmen in England on 23rd February urging them to increase the number of registered disabled persons employed in the NHS, and undertook to review departmental guidance on the matter. We hope to issue fresh guidance shortly. Rochdale Area Health Authority assures me that all applications for jobs received from disabled persons are given serious and sympathetic consideration. I shall arrange for the hon. Gentleman to have a copy of the new guidance as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many registered disabled persons are employed by the Rochdale Area Health Authority; 78W and what is this number as a percentage of the total labour force.
§ Mr. Alfred Morris32 representing 1.28 per cent. of total staff employed by the Rochdale Area Health Authority.