§ 13. Mr. Edward Evansasked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have a statutory committee for the welfare of the blind; and how many of these have a registered blind person serving on the committee.
§ Mr. VosperAll county and county borough councils have committees for the discharge of their functions under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948, including functions relating to the welfare of the blind. Information in regard to the second part of the Question is not available.
§ Mr. EvansWould the Minister not agree that it is most desirable that, so far as possible, actual registered blind persons should be recruited to these welfare committees for the blind? Would the right hon. Gentleman give some encouragement to local authorities in that connection?
§ Mr. VosperI agree with that, and I hope that this Question may come to the notice of those concerned. I do not think I could go so far as to issue a directive on the subject.