§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those local authorities in Wales which have a designated mobility officer to assist blind and visually handicapped people. [67447]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesThe provision of assistance to blind and visually handicapped people is now through Rehabilitation Workers.
I understand that the following local authorities directly employ Rehabilitation Workers:
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taff
- Swansea
- Value of Glamorgan.
In addition, some local authorities have contracts with other organisations such as the North Wales Society for the Blind; the Gwent Association for the Blind; the Guide Dogs for the Blind or Vision Enhancement Services, to provide services similar to those of Rehabilitation Workers. These local authorities are:
- Anglesey
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Conway
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Newport
- Torfaen
- Wrexham.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.