§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the health and social services boards and district councils in Northern Ireland which have appointed a disabled person to a committee or sub-committee as recommended by sections 10 and 11 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978; if he will specify the committees and subcommittees concerned in each case; what encouragement he has given to boards and councils to co-opt disabled people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation on the number of disabled persons who have been 373W appointed to committees or sub-committees of health and social service boards and district councils is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Sections 10 and 11 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 have been brought to the attention of the bodies concerned. I am satisfied that boards and district councils are aware of the special needs of the disabled and are ensuring that, in making appointments to committees, disabled persons or persons specially qualified to represent the disabled are not being overlooked.