§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 21 January, Official Report, column 585, if he is satisfied that each of the bodies listed has appointed a person with knowledge of disability; if people so appointed are made known to organisations of and for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland; what is his estimate of the cost of informing himself as to whether these bodies are complying with the law; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. NeedhamI am satisfied that all the appointments to the public bodies listed in the answer that my hon. Friend gave on 21 January have had due regard to the provisions of section 9 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (NI) Act 1978. While there is no requirement that such appointments should be made known to organisations representing the disabled, information about the overall composition of the individual bodies is available. No detailed estimate of the cost has been made but I am satisfied that it would be disproportionate.