§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister how many of the 79 full-time and 14 part-time staff employed in her Department on 1 March were registered disabled persons; and what action she has taken or intends taking during the International Year of Disabled People to increase the number of disabled persons in her Department.
§ The Prime MinisterOn 1 March 1981 none of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office was a registered disabled person. The great majority of posts in my office are filled by competitive selection from serving civil servants. Registered disabled civil servants have the same opportunities to apply, and to be considered on merit for such posts, as their colleagues.
Those responsible for the selection and management of the staff at No. 10 are well aware of our policy on the employment of disabled persons, on which I would refer the hon. Member to replies given by my hon. Friend the 13W Minister of State, Civil Service Department to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 19 January 1981 [Vol. 997, c. 1.]