§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what percentage of the staff of the Palace of Westminster is registered as disabled; what is the target level; what measures are being taken to improve employment opportunities for disabled people within the Palace; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Beith[holding answer 10 June 1991]: Of the staff employed by the House of Commons Commission, 0.6 per cent. are registered disabled.
The Commission's policy on the employment of disabled persons remains as set out in the Commission's annual report 1981–82. The Commission has appointed a disabled persons officer who is responsible for promulgating the Commission's policy on the employment of disabled people and for advising management and staff on matters concerning disablement. He keeps up to date with civil service policy on disablement and from time to time arranges seminars for departmental management with organisations concerned with disabled people.
Although not statutorily bound by the provisions of the Disabled Persons Acts 1944 and 1958, the Commission has nevertheless undertaken to accept the same responsibilities as other employers. This includes compliance with the requirement to employ a 3 per cent. quota of staff who are registered disabled.
Management has endeavoured to achieve the quota by encouraging applications from disabled people through recruitment literature and contacts with organisations dedicated to finding employment for the disabled. The implementation of this policy has recently been reviewed with the object of making it more effective. Consequently management have agreed, on the advice of the disabled persons officer, to adopt certain further measures. These will have the effect of ensuring that all applicants for vacancies in the House of Commons service who are registered disabled will be shortlisted for interview provided it is clear that their disabilities do not prevent them from satisfactorily carrying out the duties of the post 662W and they have the qualifications asked for, if any. Disabled applicants who have not the required academic qualifications may take a short answer test. Where there are two candidates of equal merit, one of whom is disabled, the policy will continue to be to select the latter. Further measures are being considered.