§ 59. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health if he will consider making representations to the tramway, omnibus, and railway undertakings to effect arrangements whereby free or reduced travelling expenses can be granted to the blind workers who are being trained or employed in the various workshops or institutions opened in connection with the operations of the Blind Persons Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMost of the local authorities under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, which are owners of tramway or omnibus undertakings already provide travelling facilities free or at reduced prices for blind persons. As regards railway undertakings, representations were conveyed by my Department to the railway companies, who felt unable to make any concessions to the civilian blind in this matter.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council will not grant a. pass to a man working in West Ham, and vice versa, and therefore the precise application of the answer does not apply?
73. Mr. ROBERTYOUNGasked the Minister of Health what is the total number of blind persons in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively; and how many of these men and women are in receipt of an old age pension from 50 years of age and upwards?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAccording to the most recent returns there are 36, 518 blind persons in England and Wales. On 31st March last, 12, 024 of those persons between the ages of 50 and 70 were in receipt of the old age pension. Blind persons over 70 receive the old age pension on the ground of age and not of blindness, and no separate figures are available for this group. As regards Scotland, the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.
74. Mr. YOUNGalso asked the Minister of Health whether all local authorities concerned are giving effect to the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920; and whether he can give the number of blind persons who are unemployed and employed, respectively, and the number of those who are under training and of those who are trained but unemployed?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the latest figures at present available relate to the year 1923: of the blind population over school age, 20, 759 were then returned as unemployable, 8, 234 as employed, 1, 246 as under training, and 880 as trained but unemployed.