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Disabled Persons

Volume 983: debated on Wednesday 30 April 1980

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asked the Secretary of State for Employment what alternative employment schemes to the special temporary employment programme are now available to assist disabled people; how many registered disabled people have found employment through these schemes and how many disabled school leavers have found employment through these schemes.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1980, c. 422]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that in addition to the special temporary employment programme and the youth opportunities programmes in which unemployed disabled people may participate, the Commission operates the job introduction scheme, which is specifically designed to assist disabled people to obtain permanent employment; 3,271 disabled people were placed in employment under this scheme between July 1977 and March 1980.Statistical information about the number of disabled school leavers included in this figure is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered disabled people have found employment through the Professional and Executive Recruitment Service.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1980, c. 422]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that separate statistics are not maintained on the number of registered disabled people who have found work through PER.The number, however, is likely to be small as the total number of registered disabled people enrolled with PER comprises less than 0.5 per cent. of the total register.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the disappointing take-up by employers of grants for adaptations and aids for disabled workers, what incentives he will give to encourage employers to install electronic aids, as happens in the United States of America, so that disabled workers can benefit from advances in technology through more jobs and greater opportunities for promotion.

[pursuant to his reply, 29 April 1980, c. 422]: I share my hon. Friend's disappointment that employers have not made more use of the adaptations to premises and equipment scheme. However, I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of aids loaned free of charge to disabled people under its special aids to employment scheme has increased significantly in recent years. Last year 830 aids, including electronic aids, were loaned to disabled people to assist them in their employment. It is intended to continue the development of this scheme, and the Manpower Services Commission is always ready to learn from the experience of other countries and will be studying the USA pattern.