Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what research is being sponsored by his Department into the causes and prevention of disability; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what research and development is being sponsored by his Department into equipment for the disabled; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisMuch of the health and social research sponsored by my Department is aimed at providing information about illness and disability. Details of this research are given in "Research, Wales: First Report, 1973–74."
Wales receives the benefit of similar research, including research into equipment for the disabled undertaken elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Information about this research is provided in the reports of the other Health Departments and in the annual report "Research and Development Work on Equipment for the Disabled".
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Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has given to health authorities regarding their duties under Sections 4 and 7 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; if he is satisfied that hospital buildings completed since 1970 have met the requirements of the Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisMy Department issued advice to hospital authorities in Wales on the new requirements of Sections 4 and 7 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 before the provisions came into force in November 1970. I am satisfied that hospital buildings since that time have taken these requirements into account.
Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many wheelchair units have been proposed and completed, respectively, by each local authority in Wales since August 1970.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe information available does not distinguish between wheelchair units and other accommodation for the disabled. In the relevant period proposals have been approved for the construction of dwellings for the disabled by the following authorities. I cannot say how many have been completed.
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Dwellings Brecknock BC … … … 6 Cardiff CC … … … 23 Carmarthen DC … … … 17 Colwyn BC … … … 2 Cynon Valley BC … … … 5 Delyn BC … … … 1 Dinefwr BC … … … 4 Islwyn BC … … … 4 Llanelli BC … … … 12 Lliw Valley BC … … … 4 Merthyr BC … … … 21 Monmouth DC … … … 8 Montgomery DC … … … 1 Neath BC … … … 1 Newport BC … … … 8 Ogwr BC … … … 6 Preseli DC … … … 11 Radnor DC … … … 1 Rhondda BC … … … 2 South Pembs DC … … … 2 Swansea CC … … … 12 Taff-Ely BC … … … 1 Torfaen BC … … … 9 Vale of Glamorgan BC … … … 10 Wrexham-Maelor BC … … … 5 Total … … … 176
Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for increasing the number of dwellings for severely disabled people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisWelsh Office Circular 120/74 stressed the need for housing authorities to do more for people who are physically handicapped and to help housing associations to do so, too. Further advice will shortly be issued. The severely disabled are a special category whose needs can usually be met only by the provision of purpose-built dwellings tailored to the particular needs of the person concerned; my Department always considers sympathetically and urgently proposals put forward by local authorities for such dwellings.
Mr. Fred Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales how often each district council in Wales has consulted with its social services authority concerning housing provision for disabled people, as required by Section 195(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, since reorganisation; what advice is available from his Department at these meetings; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. John MorrisAuthorities are not required to inform me of such consultations, many of which will be informal and on a day-to-day basis. I would refer my hon. Friend to my earlier reply given today regarding the advice which is available to local authorities.