§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Health what local authorities, if any, have not yet submitted schemes for promoting the welfare of the blind as required by the Blind Persons Act, 1920; to what extent the powers conferred by Clause 2 of the Act have been exercised by local authorities; and what steps his Department has taken to urge upon them the necessity for using the powers and fulfilling the duties laid down in the Act?
§ Sir A. MONDFifty-one local authorities have not yet submitted schemes under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, but 40 of these authorities have schemes in preparation. All the schemes submitted provide for the exercise of the powers contained in Section 2 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920. While it has been difficult to exercise pressure in the matter in view of the present financial conditions, every assistance has been offered to local authorities to enable them to frame suitable schemes.