§ 10. Mr. Tom McMillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken by his Department to help to increase the indoor and outdoor mobility of disabled persons under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Mr. AlisonDevelopment in this field, namely in artificial limbs, wheelchairs and powered vehicles, is a continuing process.
§ 11. Mr. Tom McMillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that a number of his local offices are not adequately informed of the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; and whether he will take immediate steps to see they are fully informed.
§ Mr. DeanAll my Department's local offices have been informed of the provisions of the Act in sufficient detail to enable general inquiries to be answered.
§ 26. Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he now proposes to make operative Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ 36. Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will advise local authorities to start to prepare lists of chronically sick and disabled persons in anticipation of the implementation of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ 50. Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received for the early implementation of Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will now make an order by statutory instrument to bring this Section into operation.
§ 54. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make an order bringing into force Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if before then he 68W will correct the impression given in Circular 12/70 that this Section does not require the full identification of permanently and substantially handicapped persons.
§ 88. Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to ensure the full implementation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ 109. Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now announce his intention to activate Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, as from 1st April, 1971.
§ Mr. AlisonAs already stated, my right hon. Friend proposes to make an Order shortly after 1st April, and this will bring Section 1 of the Act into operation on 1st October. This date is chosen because the results of the national survey of the handicapped will by then be available to help authorities in implementing the Section, and their new social services departments will be better placed to undertake the work.
§ 51. Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken to implement Section 17 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; and when he expects to lay before each House of Parliament his first annual statement under the provisions of Section 17(2) of the Act.
§ Mr. AlisonGuidance on implementation was sent from my Department to hospital authorities in August. They have been asked for information about the period 1st October to 31st December, 1970, and we expect to receive this shortly. We are considering the most appropriate form and timing for laying information before the House.
§ 53. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost to date of official publicity by Departments of State on the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Mr. AlisonApart from the issue of circulars of guidance to the responsible 69W authorities, the cost of which is not readily identifiable, no such publicity has been undertaken.
§ 73. Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has now been made towards the implementation of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Mr. AlisonI have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tyne-mouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 11 th February.—[Vol. 811, c.250.]
§ 83. Mr. Conlanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a check to ensure that all local authority social work services are adequate to meet the demands of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Sir K. JosephLocal authorities are now engaged in re-organising their social work services along the lines contemplated in the Seebohm Report and laid down by the Local Authority Social Services Act. This must take time, and the kind of investigation proposed would be neither desirable nor practicable at present.
§ 96. Mrs. Doris Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reports he has received showing failure on the part of local authorities to bring into operation reforms under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Sir K. JosephI have had no formal report, but I am well aware of the scope for improved services for the disabled and handicapped.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the first of the annual reports provided for by Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, will be presented to Parliament.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is expected that the first report, for the year 1970, will be available by the end of 1971.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authorities with welfare responsibilities have appointed disabled persons to advisory committees under Sections 9 to 14 70W of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Mr. AlisonI assume that the hon. Member has in mind the social services committees which are now being constituted under the Local Authority Social Services Act. The information he requires is not available, but particular attention was drawn to the inclusion of disabled persons on these committees in paragraph 37 of the Circular sent to local authorities on 17th August last, and I have no doubt that authorities have taken account of this advice.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he is satisfied that local authorities are meeting their obligation to provide transport in appropriate cases under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what information he has concerning the implementation by local authorities of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Mr. AlisonI have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 11th February.—[Vol. 811, c.250.]
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to obtain information under Section 17(2) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, with regard to the separation of younger from older patients.
§ Mr. AlisonI would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Manchester, Openshaw (Mr. Charles R. Morris).
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice his Department is giving to local authorities and their directors of welfare services regarding the equipment and services which are now available to disabled people under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons' Act, 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. and learned Member for Stoke Newington and Hackney, North (Mr. Weitzman) 71W and the hon. Members for Gateshead, East (Mr. Conlan) and Paddington, North (Mr. Latham).