§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the Minister responsible for the disabled is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Access Committee for England.
§ Mr. ScottI have written to the retiring chairman of the Access Committee, Mr. Arthur Goldthorpe, and to the 269W chairman of the Centre on Environment for the Handicapped, the body which, at the Government's request, hosts the Committee, Mr. John Penton, to announce my decision on the future arrangements for the committee. In making my decision, I have taken account of the views I have received from the members of both the Access Committee and the CEH management committee. I have accepted the majority view that it would be best to retain a link between the committee and CEH. Their differing but complementary roles means that they can be more effective if they work together on access issues.
However, I recognise that the Access Committee needs a more clearly defined independence of policy and finances, and that it needs a stronger direction. These needs have been provided for in the letters I have today sent to Mr. Penton and Mr. Goldthorpe, and will be fully reflected in the terms of reference for the committee which the Government will issue later in the summer.
I hope to announce the appointment of the new chairman of the Access Committee shortly. Following that appointment, I hope that the Committee will be able to resume full effectiveness in the autumn.
I am very grateful to all those concerned for their help and patience in the resolution of the difficulties of the Access Committee. I believe that we have now found a positive and constructive way forward.
A copy of my letter to Mr. Penton has been placed in the Library.