asked the Minister of Labour what surveys have been undertaken by his Department of the problem of unemployment among disabled persons in areas like North Staffordshire; and what proposals he has under consideration for stimulating the supply of suitable employment.

It is part of the duties of the disablement resettlement officers in North Staffordshire and elsewhere in the country to keep the position of unemployed disabled persons regularly under review and to seek ways of promoting their employment by submitting them to suitable notified vacancies and through special approaches to employers. In appropriate cases employers are asked to see whether jobs can be modified so as to bring them within the capabilities of the disabled.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, in spite of all that is done, and with the best will in the world, by his Department and with the co-operation of the employers, in areas like North Staffordshire there is simply not enough suitable employment for men who are disabled? In view of the fact that special steps are taken for the severely disabled, is it not time that the hon. Gentleman's Department made a new approach to the problem of the partially disabled who require specially suitable employment to be provided in such areas?

I agree that the position in North Staffordshire is certainly more difficult concerning the partially disabled than in other parts of the country. Despite that, however, it is satisfactory to note that during the last 12 months disablement resettlement officers have placed disabled persons in 1,054 jobs notified to employment exchanges for North Staffordshire.