§ 3. Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider financial assistance for the introduction of a disabled persons' telephone bureau which would be structured on similar lines to that which is currently operating in Manchester.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Ray Carter)I understand that the telephone information service for the disabled in Manchester is operated by a small number of volunteers who are themselves disabled and who provide the service from their own homes. So far there has been no demand for a similar scheme in Northern Ireland, but if any disabled persons or organisations representing them wish to have such a scheme introduced their views will be considered sympathetically.
§ Mr. BradfordI am grateful to the Under-Secretary of State for his reply. Will he accept that a number of people involved in the voluntary social services are anxious to introduce such a scheme, and that the introduction of this scheme would cost hundreds rather than thousands of pounds? Will he be prepared to meet a number of interested people in order to discuss this matter further in the immediate future?
§ Mr. CarterMy noble Friend the Minister of State is responsible for this matter, and in speaking for him I know that he would be only too pleased to meet people who might come forward with any scheme. It does not involve a great deal of money and we are quite prepared to talk about it.