§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list any specific contributions his Department has made to the International Year of Disabled People.
§ Mr. PattieThe Ministry of Defence contributions towards the aims of the International Year of Disabled People were extensive and included initiatives at local unit-establishment level as well as Department-wide activities.
Local unit activities ranged from fund-raising collections or raffles to open days, fairs and longer-term projects specifically aimed at helping the disabled in the community. Examples included:
A fete at Harrogate, Yorks, which raised £7, 500;Sponsored events and fairs at RAF Support Command units raising 4, 500:A number of events organised by RSAF Enfield factory social and sports club, which raised over £5, 000;And several other local activities, which raised more than £2, 000 each.In total, local events produced about £34, 500, which has been given to IYDP funds or to local disabled organisations and charities. Community projects have included:
Renovation of wheelchairs for a Shrewsbury hospital by REME apprentices;The design and production by apprentices at ROF Leeds of several aids which have been accepted by the area health authority to meet specific handicap problems;The organisation by pilots from the RAF Hullavington gliding club of "Nationglide", a sponsored sailplane flight around England, to raise £16, 000 to buy and operate a two-seat motorglider for the disabled.As to Department-wide activities, a number of central instructions have been issued to focus attention on the aims of the international year and to encourage the greater integration of disabled staff. Specifically, two major initiatives were taken:
A special staff suggestions scheme was launched, with £600 of awards, to encourage ideas for ways to help the disabled;A prize essay competition with selected themes relating to the problems of employing the disabled. In addition to cash prizes, there was an expenses-paid trip for two to a Service unit-establishment abroad for the best entry by a disabled member of MOD staff. The winner, with the assistance of the Service authorities concerned, chose to visit Cyprus in October 1981.A full report is being prepared on MOD's IYDP activities and I will arrange for a copy to be sent to my hon. Friend in due course.