HC Deb 18 May 1972 vol 837 cc168-9W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is prepared to meet a delegation from Miss Ann Shearer, the Spastics Society, the National Association for Mental Health and other organisations, to discuss the significance of the film, "Like Other People", and the report, "Sex, Marriage and Handicap", with a view to framing a policy to acknowledge the observations made by the film and report; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he has studied the report "Sex, Marriage and Handicap", written and researched by Miss Ann Shearer for the Spastics Society, a copy of which is in his possession; if he will take into account the findings of this report in allocating accommodation in hospitals for the mentally handicapped; if he will advise local authorities of the significance of this report; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if he has now seen the film, "Like Other People", produced by the Mental Health Film Council, the Spastics Society, the British Epilepsy Association, the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Mind/National Association for Mental Health; if be will arrange for officials of his Department responsible for this field of work to see this film; if he will arrange for a showing for appropriate local authority officers; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

I am studying the report and shall shortly be seeing the film. I shall then decide whether further action is needed.