§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on progress in implementation of the McColl report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottMy predecessor made a detailed statement to the House on 10 March 1987 at columns149–51 setting out the Government's response to the McColl report on the artificial limb and appliance services.
Accordingly, a new special health authority, the Disablement Services Authority, was created on 1 July 1987 to take over from the Department the responsibility for these services. The authority is charged with running the existing services; developing and improving them in the light of the McColl report and of other initiatives; and planning, in co-ordination with the regional health authorities, the integration of the services into those of the NHS on 1 April 1991.
If hon. Members wish to inquire about the work of the authority, I am sure that its chairman the noble Lord Holderness will be pleased to answer their questions.