HC Deb 21 November 1984 vol 68 cc194-5W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment at what rate, for each year since 1979 (a) disabled people and (b) able-bodied people have been placed in employment nationally and for the Manchester, Sheffield, London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Leeds and Wakefield travel-to-work areas; what percentage has been placed through jobcentres; what percentage of disabled people has been placed through resettlement officers; what these figures are for disabled people registered as (i) section 1 and (ii) section 2; and how many disablement resettlement officers are employed in each area and nationally.

Mr. Alan Clark

The total number of labour market engagements in Great Britain in the relevant financial years is estimated to have been as follows:

Engagements (millions)
1979–80 8.4
1980–81 6.1
1981–82 5.6
1982–83 6.3
1983–84 6.5

Separate figures for able-bodied and disabled people are not available nor is information for individual travel-to-work areas.

The total number of placings by jobcentres as a proportion of these total estimated engagements in the labour market for the relevant financial years was as follows:

Percentage
1979–80 23
1980–81 25
1981–82 26
1982–83 24
1983–84 27

Before 1983–84, all separately identifiable placings of disabled people through jobcentres were made by disablement resettlement officers or their assistants. For 1983–84, the information required is set out in the table.

Placings by disablement resettlement officers as a proportion of total jobcentre placings of disabled people
percentage
Section I Section II
Great Britain 68.1 91.3
Travel-to-work areas
Manchester 81.3 97.1
Sheffield 55.3 96.4
London 78.2 99.4

Section I Section II
Newcastle 36.6 91.2
Birmingham 98.3 100.0
Stoke-on-Trent 96.1 100.0
Leeds 53.0 94.1
Wakefield 77.5 100.0

Notes:

  1. 1. Placings of disabled people through self-service vacancy displays are not included in total placings for the purpose of this calculation.
  2. 2. The proportions in this table vary widely between the areas shown because general employment staff become involved in placing disabled people at different dates in different areas.

During 1984 there will be around 450 disablement resettlement officers nationally.

The numbers for each of the relevant travel-to-work areas, as at November 1984, is as follows:

Travel-to-work area Number of DROs
Manchester 17
Sheffield 5
London 53
Newcastle 6
Birmingham 13
Stoke-on-Trent 4
Leeds 5
Wakefield 4

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many and what percentage, for each year since 1979, of (a) able-bodied people and (b) registered disabled people have been unemployed nationally and in the Manchester, Sheffield, London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Leeds and Wakefield travel-to-work areas for (i) over three months, (ii) over six months, (iii) over one year, (iv) over 18 months and (v) over two years; and what these figures are for disabled people registered as (i) section 1 and (ii) section 2 disabled;

(2) what, for each year since 1979, is (a) the unemployment rate, (b) the number of registered disabled people and (c) the unemployment rate for registered disabled people, nationally and for the Manchester, Sheffield, London, Stoke on Trent, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds and Wakefield travel-to-work areas; and what are these figures for disabled people registered (i) section 1 and (ii) section 2 disabled.

Mr. Alan Clark

I shall reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.