§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether any sheltered workshops are to be closed in the near future and whether any closures are expected before May 1984.
§ Mr. Alison[pursuant to his reply, 22 December 198 11:]:I am aware of plans for the Birmingham blind workshop, run by Birmingham city council, to be closed in March 1982, and of the council's plans for alternative facilities to be provided for all disability groups.
I am also aware that sheltered workshops in general are having difficulties in obtaining sufficient work at the present time. The local authorities, voluntary bodies and Remploy Limited, who operate workshops, are making determined efforts to overcome those difficulties by improving the performance of workshops rather than by closing facilities. The Manpower Services Commission, which runs the sheltered employment programme, will assist in any way possible with those efforts.