§ 37. Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what views he sought from individuals and organisations involved in caring for mentally ill, disabled or elderly relatives at home as part of the review of benefits being undertaken by his Department.
§ Mr. ScottThe Government encouraged comments on the findings of the major surveys of disability carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys between 1985 and 1988: and our proposals for improving social security help for disabled people and carers have been made in the light of the views and comments of interested organisations. I have sent a copy of "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" (Cm. 917) to a number of 527W organisations, including the National Council for Carers, inviting their comments, and on 27 February my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of "Caring Costs", a coalition of over 20 voluntary organisations representing carers. We shall continue to take into account the views of interested organisations and individuals in the course of our detailed work on the proposals.