§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to increase the number of registered disabled persons employed in the Ordnance Survey; and when he expects to achieve the 3 per cent. target.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe Ordnance Survey is not at present recruiting on a scale which would increase its proportion of registered disabled persons to the target of 3 per cent. The Department has been doing what it can to ensure that, where its existing staff are eligible to register, they do so.
§ Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to grant total or partial exemption from rating in respect of private dwellings occupied by severely disabled persons.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettSection 45 of the General Rate Act 1967 already provides relief from rates in respect of structural facilities for disabled persons, including facilities in dwellings. My right hon. Friend is considering whether the current legislation ought to be amended in the light of the decision last year by the other place in the case of Vandyk v. Oliver.