§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the United Kingdom's financial contribution to HANDYNET in 1990–91 and 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe European Community's second action programme in favour of disabled people, called HELIOS, includes the development of a system, called HANDYNET, to link national databases on disability, initially for equipment. We have nominated the Disabled Living Foundation as the first United Kingdom centre to participate in HANDYNET, which has yet to come into operation. Most of the costs of taking part in the system will be incurred within the member states and will not be met from Community funds. We have already given the 581W Disabled Living Foundation a grant of £228,000 to enhance its information service facilities and enable it to participate in HANDYNET in due course. We are considering a request from the foundation for further support once the system comes into operation.