HC Deb 04 November 1968 vol 772 cc460-2
8. Mr. Gordon Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest position reached in the study of the disabled by the Government Social Survey; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Snow

Field work began in September and should be completed in January.

Mr. Campbell

As it is now almost exactly a year since the study was first announced in reply to a Question of mine, can the Minister now give any indication of the action which the Government propose to take thereafter? I ask that because it now appears that no positive action can yet be taken to help the severely disabled because of the lack of basic information.

Mr. Snow

This has been a most successful exercise. Replies were received to 87 per cent. of the 250,000 questionnaires sent out. The fact is that 11,000 people taken from those answers are now being contacted personally, so that within the scope of this survey we shall have a better definition of where these people are located. From that point onwards we can help local authorities to complete their own registers.

Mr. Worsley

Can the Minister say when the information from this survey will be published?

Mr. Snow

We hope that the survey will be completed by January next. From then onwards it will be largely a matter of analysis. The report will not be available before towards the end of next year, but a lot can be done by local authorities in this matter with the data which we shall be able to send out to them earlier.

9. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers of disabled people in Great Britain divided into appropriate categories; what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing disablement pensions based solely on the level of disablement; and whether he will introduce legislation providing for the payment of such pensions at an early date.

Mr. Crossman

I cannot do as my hon. Friend wishes because we at present lack comprehensive reliable information about the number and extent of disablement in: he population.

As to legislation, my hon. Friend will be aware that a White Paper on the future development of social security has been promised.

Mr. Roberts

But will my right hon. Friend at least assure the House that something will be done as soon as adequate figures are available? Is he aware that the estimates of disabled are expected to be up to 1½ million, and that the helping of these people and their families is a matter of urgent and absolute priority?

Mr. Crossman

My hon. Friend heard in answer to a previous Question how the inquiry was going. When it is completed, and we can study the facts, we can come to our conclusions and make a statement of policy, but not before.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Is it not monstrous that we should have to wait an extra year, that is, two years in all, before any constructive action is taken by the Government?

Mr. Crossman

I am grateful for that question. I said when the survey was completed, not published. It is true that, well before the full publication of all the details, I hope we can come to interim conclusions. I think that it is right to remind us of that.

Mr. Molloy

I appreciate that the work being done by my right hon. Friend and his Department is a massive improvement on the puny efforts of hon. Gentlemen opposite, but may I ask him to continue the liaison with the Disablement Income Group on this problem, as this group has been so helpful and has gathered so much information on this rather difficult problem?

Mr. Crossman

I hope very soon to receive a deputation from the group and to discuss the problem with it.