§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many of the United Kingdom's largest 100 employers hold permits exempting them from the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944; how many of these(a) hold permits covering multiple outlets— 488W operational sites and (b) do not hold exemption permits and who are failing to meet their quota obligations; and how such companies are being encouraged to meet their obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.
§ Mr. LeeThe information requested about the 100 largest employers is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In Great Britain the Department of Employment's employment service established a major organisations development unit in October 1987. This maintains contact with major employers at senior, head office, level and influences and assists large companies in the adoption of good practices in the employment of people with disabilities. At a local level, the employment service's disablement advisory service also promotes vigorously the employment of people with disabilities. In Northern Ireland these functions are undertaken by the Department of Economic Development's disablement resettlement officers.