§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Paymaster General what representations he has received from voluntary organisations about the current difficulties experienced in the sheltered placement scheme regarding shortages of places.
§ Mr. LeeMy Department has received representations about the sheltered placement scheme from or on behalf of the following voluntary organisations:
- Cambridgeshire Mental Welfare Association.
- Enham Village Centre/Papworth Village Settlement.
- National Star Centre for Disabled Youth, Cheltenham.
- Reading Industrial Therapy Organisation Limited.
- The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR).
- The Spastics Society,
- Walsall Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults (MENCAP).
- The Shaw Trust.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Paymaster General if he will undertake a full review of the financing, organisation and structure of sheltered employment, in the light of experience gained through the sheltered placement scheme.
§ Mr. LeeI have no immediate plans for a review of the sheltered employment programme. Work to examine certain aspects of the sheltered employment programme, including the sheltered placement scheme, is already in hand or is being planned and I do not rule out the possibility of further work in the light of the outcome of consultations on the report on the Tomlinson principles, prepared by a working party of the National Advisory Council on Employment of Disabled People.