HC Deb 06 June 1989 vol 154 cc57-8W
Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people the Disablement Advisory Service employs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

There were 190 Disablement Advisory Service (DAS) staff in post on 31 March 1989. I believe that the Disablement Advisory Service performs an invaluable role in encouraging and assisting employers to apply good policies and practices in the employment of people with disabilities.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the Disablement Advisory Service is resourced; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

The Disablement Advisory Service consists of specially trained employment service staff. They are organised in 68 teams, covering all parts of the country, and can be contacted through local jobcentres. For very large employing organisations, there is a special head office advisory service, the major organisations development unit, based in London, but available nationwide.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the Disablement Advisory Service distributes leaflets concerning its activities to general practitioners' surgeries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

No. The Disablement Advisory Service's main role is to help employers to adopt and implement good policies and practices in the employment of people with disabilities. It is not directed towards general practitioners or their patients. A new booklet, "Job Hunting for People with Disabilities", appropriate to disabled jobseekers and their advisers, will be issued shortly for distribution to local points of contact, including surgeries, at disablement resettlement officers' discretion.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if there are any plans to expand the Disablement Advisory Service's activities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

There are no current plans to expand the Disablement Advisory Service's (DAS) activities. However, DAS activities are being considered as part of my Department's internal review of its policies and services for people with disabilities.