§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled people have been placed in employment through the sheltered placement scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeAs at 28 February 1989, 4,821 people with severe disabilities were being supported in employment through the sheltered placement scheme. I am pleased to say that the number of jobs supported in this way is set to rise to 6,900 by the end of March 1990. Since the scheme was introduced in April 1985, it is estimated that around 5,870 people with severe disabilities have been placed in sheltered placements. The scheme succeeded the sheltered industrial groups scheme which was already supporting 1,049 jobs.