§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take positive steps during the International. Year of Disabled People to sustain the employment of disabled persons in the light of the United Nations resolution to which the Government are a signatory.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe Government fully support the principles of the International Year of Disabled People. One important objective of the year is the further integration of disabled people into the work force. We shall therefore continue to give positive support to the Manpower Services Commission's "Fit for Work" campaign and only recently my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry and I met and congratulated those employers who had done most in promoting the employment of disabled people and had won the MSC's "Fit for Work" award. In 1981 more employers need to follow the example set by these first award winners, and, during the International Year of Disabled People, I and my colleagues will take every opportunity of stressing the "Fit to Work" message to employers and of encouraging the MSC to develop this important campaign.