§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent the recommendations of the quota working group 1985 have been fulfilled.
§ Mr. LeeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in 1985 that he proposed to defer action on the working group's proposals relating to the administration of the scheme pending research suggested by the group into the disabled working population and its characteristics.
Research into employers' attitudes towards the quota scheme has been completed and the results will be published as soon as possible. Consideration is being given to the commissioning of a research project into the numbers and characteristics of people with disabilities in the working population in the light of a feasibility study completed last year.
My officials continue to promote awareness of the scheme through the employment service's disablement advisory service and its network of jobcentres.