§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will extend the exceptional introductory period of the job introduction scheme beyond the present 13 weeks, and increase the £45 a week currently payable.
§ Mr. AlisonThere are several ways in which this scheme might be developed. The national advisory council
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§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make the special aids to employment available to registered disabled people who are seeking employment.
§ Mr. AlisonSpecial aids for employment are provided for registered disabled people to enable them to obtain or keep a specific job. Aids are considered for unemployed registered disabled people as soon as a suitable job is identified and has been offered. There are no plans to change these arrangements.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the number and percentage of firms in Great Britain satisfying the quota by employing at least 3 per cent. registered disabled people; what are the number and percentage of firms in Great Britain below the quota which obtained permits in the previous 12 months before engaging people not registered as disabled; what are the number and percentage of firms in Great Britain below the quota which had not been issued with a permit in the previous 12 months; and how these numbers and percentages compare with the figures in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982.
§ Mr. AlisonThe information requested is set out in the following table for the years 1979 to 1982 and relates to 1 June in each case. Figures for 1983 are not yet available.
on the employment of disabled people considered improvements to the scheme, including a proposal to extend the introductory period, at its meeting on 28 January 1983. It will be considering the matter further and we shall look carefully at any advice it gives.