§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many capital grants have been made to date to employers in 552W first quarter of 1978, expressed at constant 1970 prices; and what was the relative volume of imports of textiles, broken down into the same categories into the United Kingdom during the same period, expressed as volume index numbers, taking 1970 to be equal to 100.
§ Mr. MeacherFollowing are data on the volume of exports and imports of textiles, SITC (Rev 2) Division 65—textile yarns, fabrics and made-up articles:
order to assist them in the employment of disabled people; what is the total value of the grants made; what action the Manpower Services Commission is taking to give the scheme greater publicity; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there are no readily available figures of numbers and total value of grants made to date, but authority has been given for 37 adaptations to premises or equipment at a total cost of £19,913. An explanatory leaflet has been published and has been included in the package provided for the Press during National Access Week. Details of the scheme have been included in the Disabled Living Foundation's newssheet, which is sent to all organisations with an interest in the employment problems of disabled people. Disablement resettlement officers also refer to the scheme as often as possible 553W in their day-to-day contracts with employers.
I am most dissatisfied with the take-up of the scheme so far, and I have urged the MSC to encourage employers to use the scheme far more effectively. The MSC has further publicity under urgent consideration.