§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the percentages of disabled staff employed within the health service in Scotland in each year since 1981; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe information is set out in the table. Health boards and the Common Services Agency are expected like other employers, to comply with the provisions of the disabled persons employment Acts.
Percentage of disabled employees in the national health service in Scotland Year Percentage 1981 0.5 1982 0.5 1983 0.4 1984 0.4 1985 0.5 1986 0.4 1987 0.3 1988 0.3 1989 0.2 1990 0.2
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of adults with(a) mental handicap, (b) mental illness and (c) physical handicap in the format most convenient to his Department.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIt is not possible to give precise figures of the total number of people in these categories, since not all will have come into contact with the health service or social work authorities. However, in 1988 the number of disabled adults in Scotland was estimated as 611,000. It is also believed that a similar number of people in any one year might consult a general practitioner about some form of mental ill-health.