§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that rights of representation and advocacy are being provided adequately for individuals whose cases are assessed under the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986.
§ Mr. MellorIt is good practice for the views of disabled people and their carers to be taken into account when local authorities are assessing the need for services. Sections 1 and 2 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 seek to give this statutory force through regulations covering the appointment and rights of authorised representatives to act on behalf of a disabled person. Six key sections of the Act are already in force, but sections 1 and 2 are among those still to be implemented. We have always said that the remaining sections of the Act will be implemented as and when the resources required have been identified and made available. Discussions are taking place with the local authority associations, who have indicated that they see these provisions of the Act as having resource implications.