§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training is given to those responsible for issuing aids under the special aids to employment scheme.
§ Mr. LeeTechnical officers who are responsible for the provision of advice on aids issued under the special aids to employment scheme, attend training courses designed to keep them abreast of technical developments. Courses are arranged in conjunction with manufacturers, suppliers and those major voluntary organisations for people with disabilities. They are also encouraged to attend exhibitions, read publications and liaise on a day-to-clay basis with manufacturers, suppliers, local colleges, the medical profession and other health care professionals.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Manpower Services Commission offices holds stocks of items commonly requested under the special aids to employment scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeStocks of items commonly requested under the special aids to employment scheme are held centrally by the employment service.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average length of time between receipt of an application under the Manpower Services Commission special aids to employment scheme, and the date the equipment was delivered.
§ Mr. LeeThere are no figures available on the average length of time between receipt of the application for equipment under the special aids to employment scheme and the date the equipment was delivered. Typically, the period can vary from a few days to several weeks depending on the complexity of the case and the availability of the equipment.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each region the numbers arid types of equipment issued under the Manpower Services Commission special aids to employment scheme for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. LeeThere is no information readily available on the types of equipment issued under the special aids to employment scheme for each of the last five years. Information on numbers is readily available only for the past four years, and is as follows: 257W
Region 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 Midlands 193 235 342 386 Wales 74 85 144 175 London 257 280 573 630 South East 264 297 415 605 Scotland 179 169 176 325 Northern 44 58 76 77 Yorkshire-Humberside 102 118 282 298 North West 121 211 354 468 East Midlands — — — 192 South West 222 187 378 384
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the occupations of those receiving equipment under the Manpower Services Commission special aids to employment scheme for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. LeeA list of occupations of those receiving equipment under the special aids to employment scheme for each of the last five years is not available. The following information shows some of the typical occupations of people who have benefited by the issue of equipment.
- General Clerk
- Cost Clerk
- Bonus Clerk
- Articled Clerk
- Accounts Clerk
- Clerical Assistant
- Social Worker
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Operator
- Printers Assistant
- Technical Officer
- Trainee Manager
- Training Officer
- Receptionist
- Telephonist
- Disability Services Co-ordinator
- Word Processor
- Typist (Audio)
- Typist (Copy)
- Secretary
- Physiotherapist
- Equal Opportunities Officer
- Photographer
- Porter
- Medical Secretary
- Production Worker
- Solicitor
- Circuit Board Assembler
- Sales Director
- Journalist
- Machine Tool Operator
- Scientific Officer
- Appeals Organiser
- Teacher
- Nurse
- Doctor
- Accountant
- Careers Officer
- Engineer
- Driver
- Civil Servant
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average retail price of an aid issued under the Manpower Services Commission special aids to employment scheme.
§ Mr. LeeThe average retail price of aids issued under the scheme during the financial year 1986–87 was £473. However, discounts on retail prices are sought for bulk purchases of aids which are frequently issued.
258W
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost to the Manpower Services Commission of the special aids to employment scheme for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. LeeThe cost to the Manpower Services Commission of the special aids to employment scheme for each of the last five years is as follows:
Year Cost £ 1982–83 529,379 1983–84 792,168 1984–85 927,279 1985–86 1,094,000 1986–87 1,674,000