HC Deb 24 July 1946 vol 426 c6W
114. Mr. E. Evans

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement with reference to the mission which is to visit certain centres in the Colonies to report on the prevention of blindness and on welfare services for the blind.

Mr. George Hall

In 1945 the National Institute for the Blind revived their Empire and Colonial Development Sub-Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Bernard Reilly, and appointed to it representatives of the Colonial Office. The committee suggested a joint tour of various-Colonies by representatives of the Institute and of the Colonial Office to report on methods of preventing blindness and of providing welfare services for the blind. This tour has just begun. It is proposed to visit most of the East and West African Colonies, Cyprus, Palestine and Aden. The Governments concerned have warmly welcomed the proposed visit.