HC Deb 23 February 1978 vol 944 cc773-5W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many payments have been made in the parliamentary constituency of the Isle of Ely under the Manpower Services Commission's scheme of capital grants to employers of disabled people.

each country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development where there is a national minimum wage and if he will show in each case the latest available estimate of the rate of unemployment and of the rate of inflation.

Mr. Golding

Advice from the Organisation of Economic Development and Co-operation is that the following countries—within OECD—have a national minimum wage: Canada, United States of America, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Italy.

The latest available unemployment rates and annual increases in the consumer price indices for these six countries are shown below. Unemployment rates are not directly comparable owing to differences in coverage, concepts of unemployment, and methods of compilation by the national statistical offices.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that no such payments have yet been made to employers in the parliamentary constituency of the Isle of Ely. I am disappointed to learn that there have been no applications.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled persons are currently looking for employment in the areas administered by the offices at (a) Ely, (b) March, and (c) Wisbech.

Mr. John Grant

I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that information, which relates to 9th February 1977, is as follows:

LOCAL OFFICES OF THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AGENCY AND NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED REGISTERED DISABLED PEOPLE
Ely 35
March 56
Wisbech 113

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on behalf of how many registered disabled people in the parliamentary constituency of the Isle of Ely the £30 job introduction allowance has been paid since it was introduced.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, by the end of January, no registered disabled people in the parliamentary constituency of the Isle of Ely had been helped by the job introduction scheme. I am disappointed to learn that there have been no applications.