asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, of 109 firms in the Dunfermline, Cowden- beath and Inverkeithing employment exchange areas, only 39 comply with their statutory responsibilities towards the disabled; and what steps he intends to take to encourage more firms to employ the disabled.
Yes. Our officers neglect no opportunity of bringing suitable disabled persons who are avail- able for work to the notice of these firms.
asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of firms in England and Wales, respectively, do not comply with their statutory responsibilities concerning the employ- ment of disabled persons; and to what extent the position has changed in the last 10 years.
According to the latest available information 47·3 per cent of firms in England to which the provision applies are failing to meet their obligation to employ 3 per cent. of registered disabled persons; in Wales the percentage is 31·6. In 1956 the comparable figures were 26·8 and 19·2 per cent. respectively.