§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Minister of Overseas Development what action he is taking to improve the quality of the submissions by his Department to the annual reports pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 concerning research and development work on equipment that might be of benefit to disabled people; and if he will ensure that possible spin-offs from technological advances are not overlooked.
§ Mr. John GrantThere has hitherto been no occasion for my Ministry to undertake research and development work on equipment for the benefit of disabled people in the developing countries, and therefore no submissions have been made to the annual reports to which my hon. Friend refers. My Ministry will, however, be making a contribution to a symposium on appropriate technology and delivery of health and welfare services for the disabled in developing countries, which is to be held in Oxford in the autumn of this year.