§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will discuss with the Manpower Services Commission the shortcomings and omissions in the Manpower Services Commissions quota scheme for the employment of disabled persons alleged in the recent OUTSET document; and if he will ensure what the Commission circulates additional information to allow resubmission of evidence.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it has received representations from OUTSET which attempt to show that in certain respects the discussion document, which was issued by the MSC in May to prepare for its review of the quota scheme, needs to be supplemented by additional information to enable interested parties to express their views properly. The MSC has considered these representations but is of the opinion that there are no significant shortcomings or omissions in the background information given in the discussion document which might distort the views of interested parties on the future of the quota scheme or alternative to it. The MSC does not therefore propose to circulate information additional to that already provided, but MSC officials will be replying shortly to the points which OUTSET had made.