§ 36. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present percentage unemployment rate of registered disabled people; and how it compares with the national average.
§ Mr. John GrantI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that on 13th October 1977, the latest date on which information is available, the unemployment rate among registered disabled people was 14 per cent. nationally compared with the general unemployment rate of 6.3 per cent.
§ 46. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action is being taken by the Training Services Agency to train disabled people as computer programmers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that training in computer programming is available under the Training Services Agency's training opportunities scheme in colleges of further education, private colleges and with computer manufacturers. Courses are available to both able-bodied and disabled people. In addition, the, TSA is sponsoring two pilot courses in computer programming on a residential basis in co-operation with the British Computer Society specifically for severly disabled people. Computer programming training for visually handicapped people is available through arrangements made between the TSA and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.