§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of disabled people are employed by his Department; what is the suggested national quota; and whether he intends to extend the quota system, governing the employment of disabled people, to employees of the Government.
§ Mr. RossiOn 1 June 1980, 1.98 per cent of the staff of DHSS were registered disabled people. Although the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, which led to a quota of 3 per cent., is not binding on the Crown, successive Governments have undertaken to accept the same responsibilities as other employers. The number of people registered as disabled, however, has declined to such an extent that it is no longer possible for all employers to meet their quota. If all registered disabled people were employed, they would account for no more than 1.9 per cent. of the working population. The quota system is being reviewed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is expected to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment within the next few months.