HC Deb 13 March 2002 vol 381 cc1071-2W
18. Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he intends to meet the Royal National Institute for Deaf People to discuss the employment in Government Departments of people with hearing impairments. [40136]

Mr. Leslie

The Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to meet the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.

The Government are committed to employing disabled people including those with hearing impairments and all Departments have targets to increase the number of disabled people they employ. 3.6 per cent. of staff in the civil service have declared themselves to have a disability. This includes 1.7 per cent. in the senior civil service.

Action to support this commitment includes participation in the two-ticks disability scheme and sponsorship of Ready, Willing and Able which advertises a range of civil service vacancies.