§ 50. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give an indication of the conclusions reached by the conference on the Needs of Disabled People held at Sunningdale on 6th and 7th February; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI intend to issue a report on this important conference as soon as possible. The report will reflect both the discussions at Sunningdale and the suggestions made for future development in improving services to disabled people. As my hon. Friend is aware, the discussions covered the whole range of problems in the disablement field, including health, personal social services, cash benefits, housing, employment and education.
I should like at this stage to pay tribute to all who participated in the conference. Their work made the occasion one of great value to my seven Ministerial colleagues who were there and to me. The process of discussion and subsequent development, of which the Sunningdale conference was an important part, is ongoing. My ministerial colleagues and I intend to hold further discussions which will cover topics of relevance in the disablement field. The first of these will be a one-day seminar on 21st May and will concern the disabled worker.