§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the total work force in his department is registered as disabled; what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people within his Department; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. TaylorAt 1 June 1991 the percentage of people registered as disabled was 1.5 per cent. The figure relates only to those staff registered as disabled. There are other staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.
The Lord Chancellor's Department is taking steps to implement the civil service code of practice on the employment of people with disabilities. In advertising vacancies, disabled people are encouraged to apply. Application forms are available in braille and on tape. Applicants can take a short answer test if they do not possess the necessary educational qualifications. Interviews are offered to all registered disabled applicants with the necessary qualifications who pass the short answer test. Care is taken to ensure that the criteria for recruitment are defined in terms of the needs of the job and that disabled persons are not unfairly excluded. At the point of selection preference is given to a registered disabled person if otherwise the respective merits of the candidates are evenly based. A budget is available for the purchase of any equipment that might assist a disabled person to carry out a job. Recruiters and managers are given guidance on the employment of people with disabilities.