§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to find employment for 14W unemployed disabled people who suffer from partial disability; how many unemployed partial sufferers from multiple sclerosis have found work in the Principality in the most recent year for which figures are available; what action he proposes to take to increase the numbers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Government, through the Manpower Services Commission, seek to help all disability groups to find employment. Although information is not available on the numbers in any particular disability group who have found work, a total of 2,033 disabled people were placed into employment by the Manpower Services Commission in Wales during the year ending March 1983.
The Government and the commission have endorsed as the basis for a way forward the commission's recent review of assistance for disabled people, which confirms the commitment to maintain and if possible, improve the level of assistance for disabled people. The recommendations of the review include a reorganisation of assistance to provide more professional help for disabled people with special needs and improving the opportunities to influence employers policies and practices for disabled people by the setting up of special teams. These recommendations are to be introduced progressively during 1983 and the early part of 1984, beginning with four regions, including Wales, in April 1983.