§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Minister for the Civil Service if, pursuant to the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Mr. Ashley) Official Report, 26th January 1978, col. 1593—that he would ask the Civil Service Department to go into the matter of the allegation that most Government Departments are failing to employ the 3 per cent. quota of disabled persons—he has yet received a report; and what conclusion it reached.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had already asked me to look into this matter, I am replying.
The number of registered disabled people employed by Government Departments as at 1st June 1977 was 1.94 per cent. of the total work force, and the figures have been published. This figure relates only to the disabled people who are known to be registered. Registration is voluntary, and many disabled employees choose not to register. Like 346W wise there is no obligation to disclose registration to an employer.
Departments do make every effort to employ disabled people where this is possible. My Department has issued a code of practice for the employment of registered disabled persons to all Departments, which have been told to appoint a departmental disabled persons officer to have full and special responsibility for the recruitment and career development of all registered disabled persons in the Department. Additionally the first issue of the annual newsletter, "Quota", a copy of which I have placed in the Library, has been circulated to all establishment officers and departmental disabled persons' officers. The newsletter gives a number of examples and ways in which disabled persons have been helped and includes other helpful information. It calls upon all Departments to ensure that a special additional effort is now made to promote the employment of the disabled in the Civil Service.