§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 21 January, Official Report, column 581, if he will list the committees and councils which have not appointed someone with knowledge of disability; what action he has taken to bring the requirements of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 to their attention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardThe following nationalised industry consumer councils do not at present have someone with specific knowledge of disability:
- Central Transport Consultative Council
- Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Eastern England
- Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Scotland
- Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Western England
- Post Office Users' National Council
- Post Office Users' Council for Wales
- South Western Electricity Consultative Council
- Electricity Consultative Council (Eastern Area)
- Electricity Consultative Council (South Wales)
- North Eastern Electricity Consultative Council
- Domestic Coal Consumers' Council
In the case of four of these bodies, appointments of persons to represent the interests of the disabled are currently under consideration. The requirements of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act are taken into account when the chairmen of the councils and committees are consulted by the Department about membership requirements, prior to decisions on appointments by the Secretary of State.