§ 44. Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of disabled people of working age are employed; and what action he is taking to increase job opportunities for disabled people.
§ Mr. LeeThe latest information relating to disability and employment is that provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in the recently published report on the financial circumstances of disabled adults living in private households, based on a survey in 1985. The survey estimated that 31 per cent. of all people of working age, who met the definition of disability used in that survey, were in employment. However, the survey information published to date does not make it possible to establish the proportion of those not in employment who would have been available for work.
For answer to the second part of the question I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe).
§ 59. Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his proposals to further improve the employment opportunities for the disabled.
§ Mr. LeeMy Department maintains a comprehensive network of services to help people with disabilities find and 141W retain jobs through advice, assessment, rehabilitation and training; and in the case of people with severe disabilities, support in the form of sheltered employment. My officers are continuing to give all possible help through the application of these services and are doing so against a background of increasing employment opportunities. The range of services and help supported by my Department are the subject of an internal review, set up in March, work on which is now well advanced.