§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from voluntary organisations in Scotland concerning the implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what consultations he has had with health authorities in Scotland concerning the regulations to be made under section 2(7) of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 in order to extend the rights of authorised representatives; and if he will make a statement;
(3) when he intends to lay an order to bring into force section 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what monitoring his Department carries out as to whether local authorities in Scotland are fulfilling their duties under the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what consultations he has had with voluntary organisations in Scotland concerning the regulations to be made under section 1 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what information he has laid before Parliament under section 11 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(7) what research he has undertaken on the implementation by local authorities in Scotland of sections 4, 8, 9, 10 and 13 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(8) when he intends to lay an order to bring into force sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(9) what consultations he is having with local authority associations in Scotland concerning the implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement;
(10) what consultations he has had with local authority associations in Scotland concerning the regulations to be made under section 2(7) of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 in order to extend the rights of authorised representatives; and if he will make a statement;
(11) what plans he has for consulting upon and implementing sections 1, 2, 3 and 7 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if he will produce a simple guide to these sections shortly thereafter.
§ Mr. LangSections 4, 8(1) and 9 to 14 of the Act have already been implemented. Progress on implementing the remaining provisions is dependent on the availability of resources and no consultations have been held about implementation of further provisions. I have received representations from the care in the community Scottish working group on the implementation of sections 1 and 2.
The first report to be laid before Parliament under the Act—"Care of Persons with a Mental Handicap or Mental 213W Illness in Scotland"—is at present being printed. Scottish Office officials have met the Association of Directors of Social Work to discuss local authority progress in implementing section 13 of the Act and the need for further guidance. We will be considering what further monitoring arrangements are required.