§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he intends to lay a commencement order for section 13 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Represention) Act 1986;
(2) when he intends to lay a commencement order for section 11 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;
(3) when he intends to lay commencement orders for sections 4, 8, 9 and 10 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;
(4) when he intends to lay commencement orders for sections 12, 14 and 15 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986;
(5) what consultation 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 boards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy written answer of 14 July, at column380, to the hon. Member confirmed that decisions on implementation of different provisions of the Act will be taken in the light of consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other factors. This also dealt with our proposals to issue guidance as and when particular provisions of the Act are due to be commenced.
The convention has recently submitted substantially increased estimates of the costs involved in implementing the Act as a whole and these are to be the subject of further discussion with my Department in the very near future. Whatever the outcome of these discussions, I am hopeful that almost all the sections referred to by the hon. Member can be introduced during 1987–88 and I shall be seeking the convention's specific views on this possibility. Section 15 of the Act now appears as part of section 5(1) of the National Health Services (Amendment) Act 1986 and is already in force.
My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to consult voluntary organisations on the implementation date for provisions though there are certainly facets of particular provisions (including section 1 on the appointment of authorised representatives) on which he will wish to consult when implementation is in prospect.