HC Deb 12 March 1984 vol 56 cc32-4W
Mr. Patchett

asked the Secretary of State for 4,848 Employment how many firms in the area covered by the Barnsley, East constituency operate the quota scheme for the employment of disabled persons, as required by law; and what information he has regarding the number of firms to which this law applies, which are currently failing to employ the required quota.

Mr. Alan Clark

Information is not available in the precise form requested. On 1 June 1983, there were 112 employers to which the quota provisions of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 applied in the area covered by the Barnsley, Wombwell, Goldthorpe, Mexborough and Hemsworth jobcentres. Of these, 39 met the quota and a further 68 held permits to engage workers not registered as disabled.

Mr. Patchett

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why he considers it inappropriate to publish the names of firms which employed a quota of disabled people in accordance with law.

Mr. Alan Clark

There is no obligation on employers to make quota information publicly available. Successive Governments have treated information about the quota positions of individual employers as confidential. Individual employers are free to publish this information themselves if they so wish.

Mr. Patchett.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people are registered for jobs at jobcentres in the area covered by the Barnsley, East constituency; what special efforts are being made at the jobcentres to place them in local employment under the quota system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1984, c. 466]: On 2 March 1984 there were 604 disabled people registered for jobs at jobcentres in the Barnsley, East constituency, of whom 209 had also chosen to register as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act of 1944.

Jobcentres offer a comprehensive range of general and specialist services to all disabled people who register for jobs, including expert assistance from disablement ressetlement officers for those people whose disability creates extra employment problems. Under the provisions of the 1944 Act, jobcentres also identify suitable registered disabled people to send to whatever vacancies are notified by those employers who do not satisfy their Quota obligations.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that every work place involved in the youth training scheme will be inspected by Manpower Services Commission staff to ensure adequate health and safety provisions for trainees.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1984, c. 390]: The appraisal by commission staff of all proposals for training under the youth training scheme includes consideration of the adequacy of health and safety provision.

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many businesses involved in schemes under the Manpower Services Commission have gone into liquidation during the past four financial years and so far in the current financial year; how many trainees and instructors have been affected; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

[pursuant to his reply, 2 March 1984, c. 673]: The information is not available.

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