§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Employment which organisations have commented on the proposals to reorganise the disablement resettlement service outlined in the document "Review of Assistance to Disabled People"; whether they generally supported or opposed the proposals; and what plans there are to monitor the effect of the changes introduced into some areas from April 1983.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkTo date, the following organisations have commented on the proposals outlined in the "Review of Assistance for Disabled People" which were sent out to interested organisations by the Manpower Services Commission in November last year:
- Association of County Councils.
- Lancashire Coastal Committee for the Employment of Disabled People.
- Liaison.
- MIND (National Association for Mental Health).
- Muscular Dystrophy Group of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- The National Association of Industries for the Blind and Disabled Inc.
- Opportunities for the Disabled.
- The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation.
- The Royal British Legion.
- Royal National Institute for the Blind.
- South Humberside Committee for the Employment of Disabled People.
- The Thalidomide Society.
Those organisations which commented generally supported the proposals, although some reservations were expressed over individual elements.
The phased introduction of the reorganised service for disabled people throughout MSC employment division regions during 1983–84, will allow MSC to monitor the practical effects of the changes and to modify them in the light of experience. In addition, consideration is being given to the form which longer-term evaluation of the effectiveness of the new arrangements should take. Regular reports will be made to the National Advisory Council on Employment of Disabled People.