HC Deb 16 December 1986 vol 107 cc449-50W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust concerning the recommendations of "Arts and Disabled People", the report of a committee of inquiry under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Attenborough; what action he has taken or will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mark Robinson

The Department is in continual liaison with organisations concerned with the provision of arts for disabled people. We recently met representatives of the Carnegie council to discuss the implications of the Attenborough report and access by disabled people in Wales to the arts. Earlier this year we agreed to fund for two years the costs of an access officer at the Wales Council for the Disabled who will take particular account of the report's recommendations in relation to access by disabled people to arts buildings. Since 1985 we have also been funding part of the administration costs of a voluntary organisation, Arts for Disabled People in Wales, concerned with creating art opportunities for people with disabilities or special needs.