HC Deb 04 December 1986 vol 106 cc735-7W
Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he intends to undertake with voluntary organisations of and for disabled people before bringing the various sections of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 into force or issuing guidance to local authorities and health authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major

Appropriate voluntary organisations will be consulted before regulations are made under section 1 of the Act. We will consider separately whether or not it is necessary or appropriate to consult voluntary organisations on the implementation of other sections of the Act in each particular case.

Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to lay commencement orders for sections 5 and 6 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

Mr. Major

It was originally thought, on the basis of discussions with the local authority associations during the passage of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Bill through Parliament that sections 5 and 6 would not carry significant resource implications for local authorities. We had therefore hoped that these sections could be included amongst those parts of the Act which could be implemented quickly. The associations have however, in the light of further inquiries now produced some figures which suggest that implementation of these sections will indeed have significant resource implications. We have asked for urgent discussions with the associations to clarify this matter and these are now being arranged. Until this issue is resolved, I am unable to say when commencement orders might be laid to bring sections 5 and 6 into effect.

Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when he intends to lay a commencement order for section 11 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;

(2) when he intends to lay commencement orders for sections 4, 8, 9 and 10 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.

Mr. Major

As I said in reply to the hon. Members for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) and for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 26 November at column289, we hope it will be possible to implement sections 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 by 1 April 1987.

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received seeking implementation of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) and for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 26 November at column289.