§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the total work force in his Department are 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.
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§ Mr. David HuntMy Department is fully committed to an equal opportunities policy which states that no job applicant or employee should receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of disablement. I have placed a copy of my Department's "Guide to Equal Opportunities" in the Library of the House.
At 1 April 1992, 1.;7 per cent. of the staff in my Department have chosen to register as disabled. My Department also employs several unregistered disabled people.
The initiatives my Department has taken include the appointment of a departmental disabled persons officer; close liaison with the Department of Employment, disablement advisory services and disablement resettlement officers particularly on recruitment of disabled staff; the establishment of a work experience scheme for clients of the Cardiff employment rehabilitation centre; and the provision of special aids and equipment to disabled officers to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
A further programme of action to achieve equality of opportunity in the Welsh Office for disabled people is to be issued to staff shortly. This will contain details of current practice and areas for future development with measurable objectives and target dates for their achievement.