HC Deb 07 April 1976 vol 909 cc229-30W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what action he is taking to improve the quality of the submissions by his Department to the annual reports pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 concerning research and development work on equipment that might be of benefit to disabled people; and if he will ensure that possible spin-offs from technological advances are not overlooked;

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action she is taking to improve the quality of the submissions by her Department to the annual reports pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 concerning research and development work on equipment that might be of benefit to disabled people; and if she will ensure that possible spin-offs from technological advances are not overlooked.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he is taking to improve the quality of the submissions by his Department to the annual reports pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 concerning research and development work on equipment that might be of benefit to disabled people; and if he will ensure that possible spin-offs from technological advances are not overlooked.

Mr. Carmichael

I have been asked to reply also on behalf of the other two Departments, as my Department commissions the research and development needed by the three Departments.

The submissions are based on information sought from the directors of my Department's research laboratories and from those responsible for commissioning the extra mural research required. They have been asked to pay special attention to identify items developed for other purposes—particularly in areas of interest specified by the Department of Health and Social Security—which might be applied for the benefit of the disabled.

I can assure my hon. Friend that the possibility of deriving benefit for the disabled from such spin-off is not being overlooked.

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