§ 19. Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.
§ Mr. MajorWe hope to be able to implement sections 4, 8, 9 and 10 of the Act by next April and section 11 during the course of 1987. We are discussing with the local authority associations how to implement those provisions of the Act, including sections 5 and 6, which have significant resource implications. At present I am unable to give any indication when these can be implemented.
§ 27. Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the number of registered disabled persons employed in his Department in order to meet the quota provided for in the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, as amended by the 1958 Act.
§ Mr. MajorAlthough the Act is not binding on the Crown, successive Governments have undertaken to accept the same responsibilities as other employers. There are 1,235 registered disabled staff in the Department. In addition there is an unknown number of disabled staff who have not registered. We would welcome more applications from disabled persons for employment in the Department and we shall continue to facilitate recruitment of registered disabled people. Those who apply for clerical posts without the prescribed education qualifications can take a written test instead. Special arrangements are made for disabled people to attend tests and interviews.