§ Q5. Mr. Ashleyasked the Prime Minister what representations he has received about the co-ordination of Ministers with responsibilities for the disabled; and what replies he has sent.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. AshleyThat is all the more reason for asking whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Ministerial responsibility for disabled people and information about the resources for disabled people needs clarification.
Will the Prime Minister, therefore, consider two suggestions: first, to establish a Cabinet Committee to co-ordinate the activities of the various Ministers concerned with the disabled; and, secondly, to issue a booklet with clear and concise details about the various facilities provided for the disabled by all the relevant Acts of Parliament?
§ The Prime MinisterConcerning the central Government, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the means of co-ordination already exist between Departments roughly on the lines which he has mentioned. As he knows, they are never publicly described in detail.
Concerning the individual disabled, what they require, and what the hon. Gentleman has in mind, is information dealing with their own localities. This will be obligatory on the local authorities under Section 1 of the Act with which 849 the hon. Gentleman was so closely associated. The order instructing local authorities to provide this information will be made shortly after 1st April next. I think that that will meet the hon. Gentleman's request.
§ Mr. William HamiltonWill the Prime Minister give an assurance that the Government will provide the necessary finance to make this Act, to which my hon. Friend made a notable contribution in the last Parliament, fully effective?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot give a blanket undertaking like that. This matter must be discussed in the general context of local authority grants and finance.