§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations have been received from the Northern Ireland Council on Disability and other organisations and individuals on improving the situation of disabled people in employment; what has been the response of his Department; and whether he will meet representatives of the Northern Ireland Council on Disability.
§ Mr. ViggersThe Department of Economic Development regularly meets the Northern Ireland Council on Disability and other organisations to discuss improvements in the situation of disabled people in employment. Recently the council responded to the Consultative Paper "Equality of Opportunity in Employment in Northern Ireland" and arrangements are being made to meet with the council to discuss its response. As my right hon. Friend told the House on 15 July 1987, at cols. 490–91, the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to disability will continue to be addressed in Northern Ireland in the same way as in the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the number of disabled peple employed by the largest private sector employer in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ViggersThe largest private sector employer in Northern Ireland employs 38 registered disabled people.