§ 22. Mr. McElhoneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities have carried out the requirements of Section 5 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellAs I told the hon. Gentleman on 23rd November, 1971, the Act does not require local authorities to provide information on this. Nor does it give me powers to obtain it. I issued a circular of guidance covering this Section in October, 1970.—[Vol. 826. c.330]
§ Mr. McElhoneIs the Secretary of State aware that in the long circular to local authorities advising on services for the handicapped, dated 10th April, no mention is made of this valuable service and as far as I know Aberdeen City is the only local authority which has applied the provisions of Section 5? Will the right hon. Gentleman give more encouragement to local authorities to act under that Section?
§ Mr. CampbellI will certainly give them encouragement, but I have issued several circulars to local authorities on the important subject of the disabled. The circular on this Section was dated 29th October, 1970. I would ask the hon. Gentleman to look at that. I supported the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) in his Private Member's Bill which became this Act. I know that he considered very carefully the wording and scope of the Section.