§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has so far received in support of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Bill; how many he has received opposing the Bill; and how many he has received (a) supporting and (b) opposing the Government's proposed amendments to the Bill.
§ Mr. HayhoeAbout 200 letters have been received about the Bill. About 100 of these were sent in response to the Government's consultation paper about possible amendments, and many expressed no specific view on the provisions of the Bill as it stands. In any case, correspondents were selective in their comments and it is not possible to draw a clear distinction between those supporting and those opposing either the Bill or the Government's proposals as a whole. Of those who commented on the consultation paper, however, most expressed reservations about some or all of the Government's proposals for amendments. A number of the points made have been taken into account in the Government amendments which have now been tabled, and others are still under consideration.