HC Deb 06 February 1973 vol 850 cc54-6W
27. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects to receive the report of Baroness Sharp on the disabled.

Mr. Alison

Before many months, I hope; but I am anxious that the report should be comprehensive.

37. Mr. Waddington

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make the private car allowance for disabled persons payable annually in advance in order to help disabled persons who wish so to do to buy their own cars.

Mr. Alison

No, Sir. The allowance is provided as a contribution towards the maintenance costs of a vehicle already acquired not as a contribution to assist in its acquisition.

40. Sir R. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services following the recent report made to him, what steps he is taking to bring State provision for the disabled in Great Britain up to the standard generally operative in other partners in the European Economic Community.

Sir K. Joseph

I would not accept as a generalisation that overall State provision for the disabled in this country is below the standard of provision in other European countries. What the report by officials to which my hon. Friend refers does indicate is, first, that we are not always as rehabilitation-minded in this country as we might be, and, second, that in continuing our development of cash benefits there is a wide range of European ideas which we can usefully bear in mind. Current work in my Department is being carried out with those points very much in mind.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the people recently found dead in their homes some time after their deaths were elderly disabled people in need of the services provided for by Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; what consultation he is having with the local authorities concerned; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

Of seven such cases recently brought to my notice, three concerned people over minimum pensionable age. Several had displayed symptoms of mild mental disorder and had been receiving or offered help from their local authority; but such help was either rejected or accepted with extreme reluctance. I have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 30th January.—[Vol. 849, c. 372–3.]

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