HC Deb 19 January 1981 vol 997 cc63-4W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what particular proposals he has to improve sporting facilities for disabled sportsmen during 1981 to mark the International Year of Disabled People.

Mr. Monro

The Sports Council, with my full support, has recently mounted a "Sport for All—Disabled People" campaign with greater participation of disabled people in sport as one of its main aims. To help achieve this, the Sports Council is working in close conjunction with local authorities and others to improve access to new and existing sporting facilities for disabled sports people. The regional sports councils are co-operating fully with various programmes throughout the country.

Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, to mark the fact that 1981 is the International Year of Disabled People, he will increase the weighting in his new criteria for the distribution of rate support grant in favour of services for the disabled.

Mr. King

The amount of grant distributed to authorities in respect of services to the disabled is determined by the provision made within relevant expenditure. The new block grant arrangements will ensure that only those classes of authorities which provide social services will benefit from this provision. It is not possible, however, to increase the total provision by altering the weight given to the relevant indicators used in calculating authorities' grant-related expenditures.