§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Goverment:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 30 April (WA 252), what action has been taken by Ministers at the Department for Education and Employment concerning the impending closure of the Greater Manchester Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre; and how many of the representations made about the Centre's future were made to that Department. [HL2007]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)The Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service (ES) have met Rehab UK on a number of occasions to explore options for maximising funding from ES and other sources. Following their most recent meeting officials will be developing a national specification for delivering brain injury services through the Employment Service's work preparation programme to inform the next tendering round structure in September 2001.
In addition to the concerns expressed by the noble Lord himself, we have received four letters from Members of Parliament as well as from Mr George Wilson, Chairman of Rehab UK, about the future of the Greater Manchester Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. Margaret Hodge, Minister for Disabled 217WA People, met a group of Manchester MPs on 6 March and also held meetings with representatives of Rehab UK.