HC Deb 28 October 1980 vol 991 cc264-5W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make arrangements to publish the report "Inequalities in Health" through Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 27 October.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any special arrangements have been made for examinations of disabled people who need a general practitioner's report to enable them to obtain services such as motor insurance and access to pension schemes.

Mr. Prentice

General practitioners are not obliged by their terms of service with the NHS to provide reports required for patients' private purposes, but, if they do so, they are entitled to charge fees. No special arrangements have been made for examinations and reports required by disabled people for such purposes as motor insurance and access to pension schemes.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy in respect of the conclusion of the report "Inequalities in Health", that improving the quality of life of disabled people is a priority; which of the recommendations relating specifically to disabled people he is proposing to implement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

Our manifesto recognised that there is still a long way to go in helping the disabled, and we shall work towards better support as swiftly as the strength of the economy allows. While we have noted in this connection the wide-ranging and often expensive proposals in the report, my right hon. Friend has no present plans to implement them.

Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with National Health Service employers about effective policies for employing disabled people in accordance with an assurance that he would do so given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government in another place on 28 July 1980.

Mr. Prentice

The development of effective policies towards the employment of disabled people in the NHS is being discussed at meetings between the Department and regional personnel officers, as representing NHS employing authorities. The new requirement that companies should publish information on their policies for employing disabled people has been brought to the attention of regional personnel officers, and discussions are continuing on bow NHS employing authorities can best make their policies known.