§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will establish a project of permanent social benefit to mark British entry into the European Community.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. The United Kingdom and our fellow members of the Community share the conviction that there is need to encourage training in, and development of, rehabilitation of sick and disabled people. The Government have decided to mark the entry of the United Kingdom into the European Community by offering a gift of £100,000 to the University of Southampton for the establishment of a chair to be known as the Europe Chair of Rehabilitation. The412W University of Southampton is willing to accept this offer and parliamentary authority for the gift will be sought in the Spring Supplementary Estimates.
The endowment of this chair, which the Government hope will be filled in the next academic year, is an important step in the Government's plans to improve the rehabilitation services in the United Kingdom. These services cover the restoration to work of those who have been incapacitated by illness or injury and also help to improve the quality of life of other disabled and elderly people including those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism.