§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Minister of the Civil Service what action he is taking to increase the number of registered disabled persons employed in his Department; and when he expects to achieve the 3 per cent. target.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisIn local recruitment of staff to work in the Civil Service Department, selection boards are reminded of the 3 per cent. quota and told that candidates who are registered disabled persons (RDP's) should be recommended for appointment provided they are judged suitable by the normal criteria. Disabled people are encouraged to apply for vacancies by various means: advertisements include a sentence about the Department's willingness to consider RDPs; applicants are told that a physical handicap or disability is no cause for re-194W jection provided it would not prevent satisfactory service; registered disabled applicants for clerical vacancies may sit special tests if they lack the formal educational qualifications. In addition, local offices of the Employment Services Agency are told of all vacancies so that they can notify the Disablement Resettlement Service. A single departmental disabled persons officer is now responsible for the recruitment and career development of RDP's throughout the Department.