§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will now set a date for the completion of all local authorities of the full identification of handicapped people under Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI am in sympathy with the intention underlying this Question, as my hon. Friend is aware. In the past five years, numbers on the registers have risen from about 405,000 to about 766,000. Notwithstanding this commendable progress by authorities, in a period of economic difficulties it is even more necessary for authorities to identify the handicapped in their areas so as to ensure that limited resources are applied to those most in need. For this reason, I am taking every opportunity to encourage authorities to press on with the work of identification.