§ 22. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the anxiety of local authorities responsible for the implementation of the Sections of the National Assistance Act concerned with the welfare of handicapped persons in respect of the high and increasing cost of these services; and whether he will consider making available to these authorities financial grants to ensure that no disabled person suffers by the failure to provide these statutory services.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)The question of provision from Exchequer funds for welfare services for disabled persons is one of the matters under review by the Committee now sitting under the Chairmanship of Lord Piercy. Until the Committee's recommendations have been received my right hon. Friend could not usefully consider the matter.
§ Mr. EvansIs the hon. Lady aware of the very considerable strain on local authorities of implementing this very necessary service, which is one which, I know, her right hon. Friend is anxious 806 that they should undertake? Unless there is some alleviation of the financial burden, there will be a long-continued delay in putting this service into operation. Will she ask her right hon. Friend to give this matter his early consideration?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI think it is a measure of the importance we attach to it that it is at the moment part of the subject of a survey by a very important committee. Obviously, I cannot anticipate its findings.