HC Deb 24 May 1971 vol 818 c43W
Mr. Ron Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many handicapped persons there are living in the City of Carlisle; and if he will ask the Carlisle City Council for a report on their progress under the hronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, in helping these people.

Mr. Alison

No estimate of total numbers is available, but 224 physically handicapped persons (excluding those with defects primarily of sight or hearing) are registered with the local authority. In view of the burdens imposed on the authority by the current reorganisation of its social services administration I should not at present regard it as reasonable to ask for a special report on the implementation of Section 2 of the Act, which I assume is what the hon. Member has in mind.