§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Prime Minister what steps the Government have taken, in fulfilment of the Resolution of the House of 3 July, to discuss with all the relevant organisations a programme of action to maintain the impetus of the International Year of Disabled People in the years ahead; and if she will list the organisations with which discussions have taken place.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government believe that the impetus of the year can best be maintained through the services and activities regularly undertaken by, or in the interests of, disabled people; and we think it more important to encourage this than to concentrate on separately identified initiatives. Early next year we shall be producing a report on the year and the follow-up to it.
Ministers have made clear the importance we attach to maintaining this impetus in their contacts with the Voluntary Organisations Committee for the Year and with a whole range of other relevant bodies. I am particularly pleased to note the decision of a number of voluntary organisations to establish the Snowdon Council which will perpetuate the co-operation between them which has been such an essential feature of the success of the year.