§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Attorney-General what percentage of the total work force in the Law Officers' departments is registered as disabled; what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people in those departments; and if he will make a statement.
The Attorney-GeneralNeither the legal secretariat to the Law Officers nor the Serious Fraud Office has any officers who are registered as disabled. Some 3.5 per cent. of the total work force in the Serious Fraud Office is composed of staff with disabilities who have chosen not to be registered.
In the Crown prosecution service 0.7 per cent. of established staff—5,318.5 staff as at 1 June 1991-were registered disabled. The CPS also employs staff with disabilities who are not registered, but the numbers are not readily available.
In the Treasury Solicitor's Department 2 per cent. of the established staff of 500 as at 1 June 1991 were registered disabled.
Each of the Law Officers' departments is an equal opportunities employer. Moreover, the CPS will shortly introduce a programme for action on the disabled which will include guidance and good practices on the recruitment and retention of disabled people.