§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans his Department has made for the International Year of Disabled People 1981; what funds have been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will conduct during the International 37W Year of Disabled People 1981 a thorough review of all his Department's policies that affect disabled people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, with the advice of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Disabled People, policies and programmes are kept under continuous review and each year I receive from the commission a report on its work. In addition, the commission submits its plans for the future to me for approval and I am currently considering its corporate plan for 1981–85.
During the International Year of Disabled People the commission will be considering a number of important policy matters affecting disabled people, and will complete major reiews of the statutory quota scheme and of its employment rehabilitation services.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Employment what special steps he intends to take through 1981, the International Year of Disabled People, to improve job opportunities for registered disabled workers.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Government fully support the aims of the International Year of Disabled People and intend by a process of education and publicity to promote awareness of the abilities of all disabled people among the public in general and employers in particular. To this end the Government will be giving their full support to the MSC's "Fit for Work" campaign in its efforts to encourage constructive employment policies towards disabled people. The recognition of disabled people's abilities and their full integration into the work force is, of course, the responsibility of all of us, not only in IYDP but also in the longer term.
In the particular case of registered disabled people, the quota scheme which currently exists to help registered disabled people obtain employment is under review by the MSC and my right hon. Friend will consider the commission's recommendations very carefully before making a conclusion on its future.