HC Deb 28 June 1951 vol 489 cc1568-9
31. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give consideration to the desirability of providing guide dogs to the registered blind who are engaged in occupations such as piano tuning, which involve constant travelling, in some cases over considerable distances.

Mr. Robens

I have power under Section 15 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act to assist in the provision of facilities for employment where a severely disabled person would be unlikely otherwise to be able to take up or keep employment. According to my information, guide dogs cannot be considered as essential in this respect although I recognise that some blind persons achieve a greater measure of independence by having them.

Mr. Hastings

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any careful examination has been made by his Department of the efficiency of these dogs?

Mr. Robens

Yes, Sir. There was a working party on the employment of blind—[Laughter.] This is a very serious matter to the blind; it is not a matter for laughter. There was a working party on the employment of blind persons. They heard evidence from the Guide Dogs Association and submitted a report in which they indicated that while blind persons have benefited in this way it would be wrong to suggest it is essential for a blind man to possess a dog before he can go out to work. The figures of blind persons who are working bear that out; about 10,400 blind persons are in employment, another 1,000 are in training for employment and in 1948 only about 140 had guide dogs.

Mr. Hastings

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many blind persons who have to travel meet with accidents which might have been prevented had guide dogs been provided?

Mr. Robens

As I indicated in my original answer, where it is essential for a guide dog to be provided we shall do all in our power to do so.

Mr. Eden

So that there is no misunderstanding of his answer, will the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the service rendered by these guide dogs and the training of these dogs are very remarkable humanitarian achievements?

Mr. Robens

That is perfectly true, but the Act only enables me to provide a dog where the disabled person otherwise would not be likely to obtain or to keep employment.

Mr. John Lewis

Will my right hon. Friend agree that in a case of newly blind it might be advisable to make facilities available for them to have guide dogs for a time?

Mr. Robens

I am sure that all of us are sympathetic towards this problem and the House may rest assured that I shall do all I can to help blind persons.

Mr. Vosper

Is the Minister aware that a debate on this subject took place in the House last night?

Mr. Robens

Yes. I have already read the debate.