§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Minister for the Civil Service which Government Departments are below quota with regard to the employment of disabled people; why the full quota has not been taken up in such cases; and what steps are being taken to employ the quota.
§ Mr. HayhoeI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 July 1981.—[Vol. 8, c. 248.] Between 1 June 1980 and 1 June 1981 the Royal Mint rose about quota, and the Public Record Office fell slightly below.
As the number of disabled people who have registered has declined in recent years, it is no longer possible for all relevant employers to achieve the 3 per cent. quota. All Departments are aware of their individual obligations to ensure that opportunities to employ disabled people are not overlooked. To support Departments in their aims the Management and Personnel Office
- a. has issued a code of practice to all Departments;
- b. has asked Departments to appoint departmental disabled persons/liaison officers with full responsibility for the recruitment and career development of disabled people;
- c. issues an annual publication, 'Quota', on the employment of disabled people;
- d. holds regular meetings of departmental disabled persons/ liaison officers to discuss policy and its implementation.
Registered disabled people competing for clerical vacancies in the Civil Service are allowed to take written test if they lack the prescribed educational qualifications. Special arrangements are made for disabled candidates to attend tests and interviews and, where the merits of candidates are evenly balanced, preference is given to a registered disabled person if a Department is below quota.