§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the proportion of registered disabled men and women at present in employment and unemployed in Bury and Radcliffe; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.
§ Mr. John Grant:I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the proportion of registered disabled men and women in employment is not known. However, on 9th November 1978, the latest date for which information is available, 8.4 per cent. of— or 85—registered 138W disabled men, and 11.1 per cent. of— or 25— registered disabled women were unemployed in Bury and Radcliffe.
The MSC is very concerned to reduce unemployment among disabled people. Efforts to persuade employers to adopt positive policies on the employment of disabled people will continue and will be boosted by a major promotional campaign in Autumn 1979. In addition, recent measures such as the capital grants, job introduction and revised fares-to-work schemes should help improve employment opportunities for disabled people.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many schemes and individual places have been approved by the Manpower Services Commission's programme dealing with youth unemployment in the Bury and Radcliffe area since 1st April; how many of these have been sponsored by (a) the local authority, (b) firms, and (c) voluntary bodies; and if he is satisfied with the response so far.
§ Mr. John Golding:I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information requested is as follows. Since 1st April 1978, 88 schemes comprising 186 places for young people and 11 places for adult supervisors have been approved under the youth opportunities programme. Of these schemes, 86 have been sponsored by private firms giving 163 places. Voluntary bodies have sponsored two schemes with 23 places for young people and 11 for adult supervisors. No schemes have been sponsored by local authorities. The area board which is responsible for the management of the youth opportunities programme in the Bury and Radcliffe area has assured me that the response is sufficient to meet the needs of unemployed people in the Bury and Radcliffe area.