§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the freeze on recruitment of civil servants will affect staffing levels on work associated with help for severely disabled people; 239W if he will give details of any steps he has taken or is taking to ensure that no such work is diminished or delayed by the freeze; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alison,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11 June 1979; Vol. 968, c. 47–8], gave the following answer:
The present freeze on Civil Service recruitment will not affect staffing levels on work associated with help for severely disabled people.
In considering what exemptions may be made from the ban on recruitment I have been particularly conscious of the need to protect the most vulnerable members of society.