HC Deb 14 October 1969 vol 788 cc200-1
Q1. Mr. Ashley

asked the Prime Minister if he will now recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the social and economic problems of the disabled.

Mr. Speaker

The House will congratulate the hon. Member on the way he has triumphed over his own disability.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion when the results are available of the survey of the chronic sick and handicapped currently being undertaken by the Government Social Survey.

Mr. Ashley

Is the Prime Minister aware that his answer fails to recognise the urgency of the economic and social problems of the disabled which justify the immediate appointment of a Royal Commission and that the statistical survey to which he referred, although a welcome step forward, should not be used to delay the comprehensive scrutiny of a Royal Commission?

The Prime Minister

I think the whole House recognises the very valuable work my hon. Friend is doing in all matters affecting the disabled. My answer was not reflecting any lack of sense of urgency. If the figures now being collected give the information we want, we may be able to proceed to action in a number of directions in which my hon. Friend is interested without even waiting for a Royal Commission. If they establish the case for a Royal Commission, one can be recommended.

Mr. Dean

Will the Prime Minister at least ensure that a constant attendance allowance for the severely disabled, which is supported in all parts of the House, is introduced at an early date?

The Prime Minister

I ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Bill which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is bringing forward. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that my right hon. Friend has addressed himself to that very question.

Mr. Heath

When will the results of the survey be published? What has happened to the study by the Supplementary Benefits Commission of the number of disabled affected by the wage stop? Two years ago the Commission said that it was conducting this review. Perhaps the Prime Minister can tell us when we will be able to have it.

The Prime Minister

I think that we shall be having the answers thrown up by the survey quite quickly. I think that some months ago at Question Time the right hon. Gentleman himself referred to the need for more statistics. These should be available shortly. I should like to discuss with my right hon. Friend the question when we can expect the information relating to supplementary benefits.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very special concern which exists about the plight of the young chronic sick and of the excellent work done by Mr. Marsh Dickson and others in that regard? In considering my hon. Friend's suggestion, will my right hon. Friend give particular weight to the claims of the young chronic sick?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has made a number of pronouncements on that question, including on the very special question of the young mentally handicapped.