§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will study the report concerning work for disabled people entitled "Part-time Employment—Time for Recognition, Organisation and Legal Reform" and published by the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and the Multiple Sclerosis Society; and if he will make a statement on the steps which he plans to take.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI have studied the report, and welcome the contribution which it makes to our understanding of the problems facing disabled people seeking part-time employment.
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) that disablement resettlement officers (DROs) will continue to maintain close contact with employers, and to take advantage of any part-time vacancies which arise.
276WI strongly support the involvement of DROs in discussions with employers to try to arrange for part-time employment as an alternative to dismissal for those employees who because of disability can no longer cope with full-time employment.