HC Deb 29 July 1982 vol 28 cc659-60W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the numbers of severely visually handicapped people seeking employment is sheltered workshops for the blind each year between 1968 and 1982 inclusive, and the numbers of those people obtaining employment in sheltered workshops in each year throughout that period; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

The numbers of unemployed severely visually handicapped people in Great Britain suitable for and seeking sheltered employment are given in the attached table for the years 1968–1982. Comparable information for blind workshops is not available.

No records are kept of people obtaining employment in sheltered workshops each year by category of disability.

TABLE
Numbers of unmployed registered and unregistered severely visually handicapped people for the period 1968–1982.
Year Registered Unregistered Total
1968 749 * 749
1969 836 * 836
1970 804 * 804
1971 892 * 892
1972 939 * 939
1973 891 * 891
1974 788 * 788
1975 790 * 790
1976 840 * 840
1977 831 * 831
1978 750 * 750
1979 658 * 658
1980 556 172 728
1981 548 169 717
1982 511 181 692
* Records not maintained.