HC Deb 23 February 1976 vol 906 cc47-8W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information she receives from local authorities concerning their continuing efforts to identify handicapped people who are in need of services which they have a duty to provide apart from the annual registration returns; and if she will make a further statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The annual returns which show the numbers of people registered as disabled are supplemented by information provided by officials of my Department who work in close association with local authorities. This increasingly demonstrates that progress by local authorities in helping handicapped people cannot be measured only in terms of the number of people identified. The hon. Gentleman rightly implies that effort should be concentrated on the ascertainment and meeting of need as well as on numbers registered.

Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she has received Malcolm Brown's analysis of the way in which local authorities implemented Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; if she will publish it; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I have not yet received the report, but I understand that a draft is now being revised by the author.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places are available in the Bolton area and the Greater Manchester area for sheltered employment for mentally handicapped adults.

Dr. Owen

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment that, apart from one enclave scheme employing six people, there are no such places in the Greater Manchester area, including the metropolitan district of Bolton, specifically reserved for mentally handicapped people. I understand however that sheltered workshops and other enclaves in Greater Manchester currently employ 101 mentally handicapped adults.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places are available each year in adult training centres in the Bolton area and the Greater Manchester area for those leaving special schools for the mentally handicapped.

Dr. Owen

The total number of places in local authority adult training centres in Greater Manchester at present is 1,973, of which 130 are in the metropolitan district of Bolton. The number of these places available for young people leaving special schools varies from time to time.