§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees are now undergoing training in sheltered employment; what plans the Government have to expand the number of trainees in sheltered employment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantThere were 174 trainees in sheltered employment, excluding Remploy, at 31st March 1977. Remploy trains its severely disabled employees on the job and normally has about 300 employees in training. An additional inducement to severely disabled people to enter training in sheltered workshops is that from 30th January 1978 the majority will receive more in basic training wages than under the old system of training allowances. There are plans to build new sheltered workshops and Remploy factories, which will result in a consequent increase of training opportunities.