§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up a study group to investigate all aspects of a blind person's essential requirements and aid.
§ Mr. RossiIt is difficult to see that such a study group could be effective because the needs of blind people vary so widely according to such factors as their age, whether they are in employment and whether they have other handicaps. Several Government Departments are involved in various of the questions which arise and many aspects are already the subject of research, some of which is Government-funded, or of studies by specialist organisations such as the Royal National Institute for the Blind, in which we take a close interest.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will place proposals before Parliament for the institution of a blind person's allowance of £18.30 per week.
§ Mr. RossiI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 19 October.—[Vol. 29, c.128.]
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost to the taxpayer of paying a blind person's allowance to all registered blind persons based on a weekly payment of £18.30.