Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made to implement the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Amendment) Act 1976.
§ Mr. John GrantI have been asked to reply.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that a number of steps have been taken to ensure that employers and developers concerned with the provision of new employment premises are aware of their obligations under the Act. Access to new and existing places of work is one of the themes of the commission's long-term campaign to persuade employers to adopt positive policies on the employment of disabled people, and guidance has been given to the commission's disablement resettlement staff to help them inform employers about the Act and arrange technical advice. A new development is the setting up, by my right hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for the disabled, of the committee on restrictions against disabled people; this committee will continue the work of the Silver Jubilee committee in considering the architectural and social barriers that may prevent disabled people from making full use of facilities available to the general public.