Positive about Disabled People Symbol (Hansard, 29 January 1996)

Mr. John M. Taylor

The DTI does not use the symbol for external or internal recruitment, or for promotion. However, it is kept under review as the Department develops its programme of action on staff with disabilities.

I have asked the chief executives of the DTI's agencies to write to the hon. Member direct.

Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 29 January 1996: I am replying to your written question on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency. Question: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for his Department and each of the Agencies for which he is responsible if it uses the Employment Service's Positive about Disabled People symbol for (a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. The Radiocommunications Agency does not use the Employment Services Positive about Disabled People symbol for either external recruitment or internal recruitment and promotion. However the Agency only assumed responsibility for equality of opportunity matters from the Department of Trade and Industry in October 1994. The Agency produces an annual Action Programme. One of the actions in the 1996 Action Programme is to consider the use of the Employment Services Disability Symbol. I expect that the Agency will make a decision later in the year on whether or not to use the symbol for both external recruitment and internal recruitment and promotion.

Letter from Seton Bennett to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 29 January 1996: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question and about use of the Employment Service's Positive about Disabled People symbol. This Agency does not currently make use of this symbol.

Letter from R. D. Worswick to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 25 January 1996: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question on behalf of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, an executive agency of DTI. The Laboratory does not use the Employment Service's Positive about Disabled People symbol for either a) external recruitment or b) internal recruitment and promotion. However, recruitment advertisements contain a statement that LGC is an equal opportunities employer whether directed at external or internal applicants.

Letter from David Durham to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 29 January 1996: I have been asked to respond as Chief Executive of Companies House Executive Agency. to your question to the President of the Board of Trade regarding the use of the Employment Service's Positive about Disabled People symbol. I can confirm that we have been pleased to advertise our commitment in this way. The symbol is used for both external and internal recruitment purposes and, as you can see below, is publicised on all recruitment correspondence issued by our Personnel Section. I hope this is helpful.

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Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 29 January 1996: The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about using the Employment Service's Positive about Disabled People symbol. The Insolvency Service does not currently use the symbol for either external recruitment or internal recruitment and promotion. However following discussions with the Employment Service, it is in the process of applying for permission to use it on all its recruitment, promotion and training literature.

Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 29 January 1996: I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade about use of the Employment Service's Positive about Disabled People symbol. In recent external recruitment exercises we have used either the symbol, or text making it clear that we welcome applications from those with disabilities. In internal recruitment or promotion we rely on a statement of our Equal Opportunities Policy we have issued to all staff which makes it clear that discrimination on grounds of disability is unacceptable. We have also established a Disabled Forum which can raise with management any point of concern.