§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans his Department has made for the International Year of Disabled People 1981; what funds have been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jack Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the new measures that his Department is taking to promote the aims of the International Year of Disabled People;
(2) how much his Department is spending on measures to promote the International Year of Disabled People, excluding existing programmes to assist disabled people; and what percentage of the total departmental budget this represents.
§ Mr. RossiI regard the achievement of the aims of the International Year as part of a continuing process, in which52W substantial progress has already been made over the years by the Department, health and personal social services authorities, a wide range of voluntary bodies and many individuals. Some special activities are being planned and will be announced as arrangements are completed. The year should, however, be seen not in the narrow context of a period of special and isolated initiatives and activities, but more widely as the occasion to take stock of what is already being done and to discuss and plan for the improvements we all want to see as resources permit.
The Department has already allocated some £103,000 to fund the secretariat of the Voluntary Organisations Committee for the Year; discussions are taking place as to the larger amount still to be allocated to cover the whole of 1981. Funds are made available as and when required for activities undertaken by the Department itself.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will conduct during the International Year of Disabled People 1981 a thorough review of all his Department's policies that affect disabled people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiOur policies are continuously under review, but we are, of course, looking particularly at those affecting disabled people during the International Year.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a special effort through 1981 to mark the International Year of Disabled People by improving parking facilities for disabled patients attending out-patients' departments and clinics at National Health Service hospitals.
§ Mr. RossiThe provision of car parking facilities at hospitals is a matter for health authorities. Although they are always aware of the special needs of disabled patients, I am sure they will be especially conscious of these during the International Year of Disabled People.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, to mark the International Year of Disabled People, he will re-consider his decision not to introduce a special cash benefit for registered blind people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiNo. I regret the position has not changed since the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Prentice), the former Minister for Social Security and Disablement on 16 December.