§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has had from disablement organisations about the future of disablement advisory committees; whether they favour integration with manpower committees; when he expects to make a final decision on the future of the disablement advisory committees.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1980, c. 421]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in 1978 a working party of the National Advisory Council on Employment of Disabled People (NACEDP) sought the views of a wide range of organisations, including those representing disabled people on the future role and structure of Disablement Advisory Committees (DACs) and in 1979 invited their comments on proposals set out in a consultation paper. There was general agreement that local people on both sides of industry could play a useful role in promoting the employment of disabled people. There was a range of views on the most appropriate means of achieving this, including the possibility of integration with district manpower committees.
NACEDP completed its report on the future of DACs in January 1980. The report will be considered in due course by the Manpower Services Commission, which will then make recommendations to the Secretary of State. We will want to consider the report and the commission's advice carefully before reaching a decision.