HC Deb 04 April 1979 vol 965 cc894-7W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what help he can give the Disablement Income Group to provide information for disabled people about the benefits available to them and, in particular, the services that can be provided under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I am glad to announce that I have approved payment of a grant of £9,000 to the Disablement Income Group for this purpose. While my Department and other statutory authorities make every effort to inform disabled people of the benefits and services available to them, I welcome this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable help given by voluntary organisations generally and by the Disablement Income Group in particular. Through its informal and direct contacts with disabled people, it provides advice on statutory benefits and services and also a whole range of useful information.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in improving the standard governing the safety of lifts of the types installed in the homes of disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

These lifts are either fixed to stairs or are small vertical lifts and neither type yet comes within the scope of a British Standards Institution's specification. My hon. Friend will be pleased to learn that the institution is now, however, drafting specifications and that BS 5776, representing the first stage of this work and dealing with powered stair lifts, is to be published on 30 June 1979. Further specifications on powered home lifts, both enclosed and semi-enclosed, and on manually driven passenger lifts, will follow as soon as possible. It is intended that the specifications on powered home lifts will be published before the end of the year.

I am grateful, first, to the institution for the speed of its response when my Department drew its attention to the need to define safety criteria for these lifts, and second, to the manufacturers who have assisted in the preparation of the new standards. I am particularly glad to note that all specifications will contain an appendix giving guidance to purchasers, many of whom are the social services departments of local authorities.

In order to promote the safety aspects of lifts already in service, or available for purchase before the specifications are published, my Department is also conducting a series of engineering tests on both stair and vertical home lifts. The results of the first set of tests have been circulated to health and social services authorities.

When complete, these measures should provide improved safety standards for stair-lift and home lift equipment. It must, however, be borne in mind that, to ensure the safety of equipment, proper care in use by users and both purchasers and their servicing agents is essential.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the disabilities study unit No. 2, "Looking Forward", which is a report of a survey of the perceived future needs and declared objectives of voluntary organisations for disabled people in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I welcome this opportunity to congratulate the disabilities study unit on its important survey and report. It represents a significant addition to our knowledge, more particularly about the role of the voluntary sector in relation to helping disabled people. The report is yet another example of the valuable contribution which the disability study unit now makes in advancing the interests of disabled people. My officials are giving the report detailed attention and will be advising me as soon as possible on its implications.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the first meeting of the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People will be held; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, when the first meeting of the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People will be held; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I am very pleased to announce that the first meeting of the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People—CORAD—will be held tomorrow, Thursday 5 April. I shall be making an opening address at the meeting.

The terms of reference of CORAD were given in my reply to my hon. Friend on 25 January and are as follows: To consider the architectural and social barriers which may result in discrimination against disabled people and prevent them from making full use of facilities available to the general public; and to make recommendations. The members of the committee most of whom were members of the Silver Jubilee committee on improving access for disabled people will be:

  • Mr. P. Large, M.B.E. (Chairman)—Chairman of the Joint Committee on Mobility for the Disabled.
  • Mrs. A. Callaghan—Chairman of the board of governors of the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street.
  • Mr. D. G. Dodds, C.B.E.—Member of the national advisory council on employment of disabled people.
  • Mr. J. Hennessy—Chairman of the Disabled Drivers' Association.
  • Mr. C. Low—General secretary of the National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom.
  • Mr. K. Matheson—Member of the Hammersmith access committee.
  • Mr. J. Mitchell—Lecturer in health studies.
  • Mrs. D. Sharp—Chairman of the British Association of the Hard of Hearing.
  • Dr. A. Stokes—Chairman of the Disabled Drivers' Motor Club.
  • Mrs. J. Symons—Consultant to the centre on environment for the handicapped.
  • Mr. T. Tickell—Journalist.
  • Mrs. C. Tomalin—Writer.
  • Mr. L. Walters—Member of the Association of Disabled Professionals.
  • Mr. G. Wilson—Director of the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation.
  • Mr. C. Wycliffe Noble, O.B.E.—Architect.

In addition, my hon. Friend and the hon. Gentleman in their roles as chairman and secretary of the All-Party Disablement Group in the House, have been invited to attend meetings of this new committee whenever their other commitments allow.

I am grateful to the three local authority associations for having nominated the following observers:

  • Councillor Mrs. D. Fleming—Association of District Councils.
  • Mr. J. Hanson, O.B.E.—Association of County Councils.
  • Councillor N. Walker, O.B.E.—Association of Metropolitan Authorities.

The committee will also co-opt individuals with particular expertise as necessary.