§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what further consideration she has given to calls from disability organisations for the implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoMost of the major provisions of the Act have now been implemented, bringing substantial benefits to disabled people and their carers. The requirements of the non-implemented sections of the Act are now, to a very large extent, reflected in the new and wide-ranging reforms of community care, which demonstrate our commitment to high-quality care responsive to the needs and wishes of service users and carers. The need to implement these sections will therefore be reviewed in the light of several years' experience of the community care arrangements.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of state for Health what representations she has received on the need to empower local authorities to enable them to make direct cash payments to disabled people to make their own personal assistance arrangements.
§ Mr. YeoI have received a number of representations. I have, however, no plans to amend long-standing legislation in this way.