§ Q5. Mr. Ashleyasked the Prime Minister what further steps he proposes to take to co-ordinate the work of the seven Ministers at present responsible for the economic and social welfare of the chronic sick.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friends work closely together in this field as in others and, as the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio exercises a general coordinating function. If, however, my hon. Friend knows of any specific instance where greater co-ordination would be of benefit, I should be grateful if he would let me have details.
§ Mr. AshleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that I have particular details of where there is a lack of liaison and I shall accept his offer and provide him with the details later on?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be most grateful. I was not quite clear from 304 the Question whether my hon. Friend, in referring to the chronic sick, was referring to those described in a Question by the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Lubbock) some weeks ago or whether he was referring to the conditions of the disabled. He will be able to make this clear when he gives me the necessary information.
§ Dr. WinstanleyWill the Prime Minister agree that, where so many are responsible, there is a tendency for none to accept responsibility and that the needs of the chronic sick would be better served if one Minister had a firm and undivided responsibility?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, this would not be possible, however attractive it might seem in theory, because obviously the Minister of Social Security must handle cash benefits questions; the Minister of Health must handle medical treatment and health and welfare services; and the Minister of Labour should deal with resettlement, rehabilitation, training and so on. To distinguish this particular group of citizens from the general responsibilities of the Departments would be very harmful to their treatment in all the ways in which they can receive help from the Government.