§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the report of a comparison of social services for people with disabilities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, published by the Royal Association for Disablement and Rehabilitation, a copy of which has been sent to him; what response Her Majesty's Government are making to this 449W report; if he will now commission a study of comparative positions in the whole of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThis report is a welcome addition to the information already available about various aspects of provision for disabled people in European countries. We have no plans to commission an additional study of our own.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what direct or indirect support he provides to the Open University to provide graduate education for disabled persons; if he will increase such provision by direct or indirect means; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have kept in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. We fully support the action he has taken in response to the report of the Open University visiting committee and welcome the recommendation in that report that the Open University should protect its services for disabled students.