HC Deb 25 January 1996 vol 270 cc365-6W
Mr. Sumberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he is in a position to announce the chairman and membership of the National Disability Council. [12066]

Mr. Burt

I am delighted to announce that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has appointed David Grayson1 of Business in the Community, as the chairman of the National Disability Council, and the following council members:

  • Doug Alker1, Chief Executive of RNID
  • Christopher Brocksom, Chief Executive of AXA Equity and Law
  • Alan Dickson, Deputy Director of The Scottish Spastics Society
  • Ann Foster1, Director of The Scottish Consumer Council
  • Tanni Grey1, Chairman of the British Wheelchair Racing Association
  • David Jenkins, General Secretary of the Welsh TUC
  • Colin Low1, Vice Chairman of RNIB
  • Jim McAllister, Divisional Director of Marks and Spencers
  • Bert Massie1, Director of RADAR, and member of DPTAC
  • David Mills, Managing Director of Retail Banking Services, Midland Bank
  • Martin Reaveley1, Director of Corporate Finance and Planning, Bass PLC
  • Phillipa Russell1, Director of the Council for Disabled Children David Roberts1, Founder member of Clwyd People First
  • Kevin Shinkwin1, parliamentary advisor to the Muscular Dystrophy Group
  • Alan Smith, Chairman of NACEPD
  • Jenny White, Deputy Legal Advisor to the Electricity Association
  • 366
  • 1 indicates that the member is either a disabled person or the parent or guardian of a person with disabilities

My right hon. Friend will also be inviting the chairman of the Northern Ireland Disability Council to become a member once he or she has been appointed.

In making these appointments, the Secretary of State has met the commitments given in Parliament that membership will be drawn from throughout Great Britain and sought to provide common membership with the National Advisory Council on the Employment of People with Disabilities and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Council. More than half of the membership of the council are disabled people or the parents or guardians of people with disabilities. They will bring to the council a wide range of experience of disability, the disabilities represented include sensory impairments, mobility difficulties and learning disabilities.

The National Disability Council can make a great contribution to the reduction of discrimination against disabled people and the chairman and members will be crucial to its success. I believe that we have achieved the right balance of experience of business and disability.

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