§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current budget is for research and development work on equipment for disabled people, under section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. [92304]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Department has no specific budget for this work, which is currently funded under the National Health Service research and development strategy and programmes including MedLINK and the Teaching Company Scheme. Details of these funding sources are listed in the annual report laid under section 22 of the Act.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals his Department has to promote research and development into disability equipment. [92303]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Department promotes research and development work on equipment for disabled people through the annual report laid under section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Copies are sent to research groups, charities, funding bodies, journal publishers, trade associations and other organisations. A range of programmes and schemes fund work in this field. Calls for proposals are announced on the Department's website and in relevant newsletters and journals.