Disabled People (Hansard, 13 February 1990)

§ 33. Mr. Ashley
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to improve employment services for disabled people.

§ Mr. Eggar
This Department's general employment services are designed to help meet the needs of as many people with disabilities as possible. They are supplemented as necessary by a range of provision specifically for people with disabilities including sheltered employment for those with severe disabilities. These services are the subject of a review, the results of which will be made available as soon as possible.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria are used when issuing quota exemption permits under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

§ Mr. Eggar
Disablement resettlement officers are instructed to consider the availability of suitable registered disabled people, and the degree of commitment shown by employers towards meeting their obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he intends to take to ensure that firms not meeting their quota obligations without permits meet their obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944.

§ Mr. Eggar
This Department will continue to pursue a policy of education and persuasion designed to improve the policies and practices of employers in relation to the employment of people with disabilities. This includes advising them of their obligations under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, and using the Department's wide range of services for the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities to help them meet those obligations.