§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many times the Manpower Service Commission has invoked Circular 68 of 1945 in order to refuse to assist an employment scheme for young handicapped persons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that Circular 68 has no relevance to its consideration of employment schemes for young handicapped people. In considering assistance for a training scheme to help young handicapped people, who are suitable for and capable of open employment, it is the policy of the TSA to have regard both to the purpose and the vocational training content of the course. Only where these fail to meet the basic criteria, namely that the course should be both vocational and leading to open employment, is assistance refused. The circular to which reference is made is the subject of consultation between the DES and the TSA.