Manufacturing Industry (Disputes) (Hansard, 23 March 1979)

§ Mr. Knox
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what reforms he expects to introduce in his Department's statistical collection techniques, in view of the discrepancies between recent surveys of the statistics of his own Department relating to strikes and stoppages in British manufacturing industry.

§ Mr. Harold Walker
I have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon.

Medway Employment District (including Gravesend) Gravesend Employment Office Area Great Britain

1978 1977 1978 1977 1978 1977

Number and percentage of firms satisfying quota by employing at least 3 per cent. registered disabled people. 156 169 29 30 17,744 18,696

(37.5 per cent.) (38.3 per cent.) (41.4 per cent.) (40.5 per cent.) (36.8 per cent.) (37.1 per cent.)

Number and percentage of firms below quota who obtained permits in the previous 12 months before engaging people not registered as disabled.^* 151 140 24 23 21,785 21,703

(36.3 per cent.) (31.8 per cent.) (34.3 per cent.) (31.1 per cent.) (45.2 per cent.) (43.0 per cent.)

Number and percentage of firms below quota who had not been issued with a permit in the previous 12 months.^† 109 132 17 21 8,661 10,060

(26.2 per cent.) (29.9 per cent.) (24.3 per cent.) (28.4 per cent.) (18.0 per cent.) (19.9 per cent.)

^* There is no provision for exempting firms with 20 or more employees from the requirement to fulfil the 3 per cent. quota. Permits to fill vacancies are issued only if suitable registered disabled people are not available.

^† These employers would not be breaking the law unless they engaged workers who were not registered as disabled.

§ Mr. Ovenden
asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures and the percentages for unemployment amongst disabled workers in the Gravesend area and the Medway employment district; what are the figures nationally; and how each of these figures compares with the position 12 months previously.

§ Mr. John Grant
I am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the latest available figures and percentages302W Member of 31 January.—[Vol. 962, c. 227.]

	Medway Employment District (including Gravesend)	Gravesend Employment Office Area	Great Britain
	1978	1977	1978	1977	1978	1977
Number and percentage of firms satisfying quota by employing at least 3 per cent. registered disabled people.	156	169	29	30	17,744	18,696
(37.5 per cent.)	(38.3 per cent.)	(41.4 per cent.)	(40.5 per cent.)	(36.8 per cent.)	(37.1 per cent.)
Number and percentage of firms below quota who obtained permits in the previous 12 months before engaging people not registered as disabled.^*	151	140	24	23	21,785	21,703
(36.3 per cent.)	(31.8 per cent.)	(34.3 per cent.)	(31.1 per cent.)	(45.2 per cent.)	(43.0 per cent.)
Number and percentage of firms below quota who had not been issued with a permit in the previous 12 months.^†	109	132	17	21	8,661	10,060
(26.2 per cent.)	(29.9 per cent.)	(24.3 per cent.)	(28.4 per cent.)	(18.0 per cent.)	(19.9 per cent.)
^* There is no provision for exempting firms with 20 or more employees from the requirement to fulfil the 3 per cent. quota. Permits to fill vacancies are issued only if suitable registered disabled people are not available.
^† These employers would not be breaking the law unless they engaged workers who were not registered as disabled.