§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now make a statement about the Manpower Service Commission's development programme of employment and training services for disabled people over the next five to 10 years.
§ Mr. John GrantI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that its development programme of services for disabled people has been published today, in both a full and a shorter version, under the title "Developing Employment
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United Kingdom Schemes Denmark Schemes Job Creation Programme … … Grants to local authorities for useful work projects for young people. Youth Employment Subsidy … … Reduction in social insurance contributions to encourage extra employment. Small Firms Employment Subsidy … Subsidy of 10 Kroner per hour payable for up to six months for persons recruited above normal establishment of firms. Special Training Courses (TSA) … … Work Preparation Courses. Special measures to maintain training in firms. Apprenticeship Expansion. Temporary Employment Subsidy … No comparable schemes. Job Release Scheme … … … Job Introduction Scheme for Disabled … Community Industry … … … Work Experience Programme … … and Training Services for Disabled People—an MSC Programme." A copy of both versions has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
I very much welcome the publication of this document. It sets out how the MSC hopes to develop its employment and training services for disabled people, and is an important step towards achieving a more coherent policy for helping disabled people to choose, train for, obtain and keep the right job. This is particularly important at this time of unacceptably high unemployment.
The programme is aimed at all those with an interest in this subject, including employers, trades unions, people in the medical world, and voluntary organisations. I hope that everyone will consider how he can play his part in helping to achieve the MSC's objective, which I wholeheartedly endorse, of better employment opportunities for disabled people.