§ Mr. Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what funding his Department granted to the European Year of Disabled People National Co-ordinating Chamber in each year since 2002; [163699]
(2) what plans the European Year of Disabled People National Co-ordinating Chamber has made for its employees in 2004; and if he will make a statement; [163700]
(3) how many people are employed by the European Year of Disabled People National Co-ordinating Chamber. [163701]
§ Maria Eagle: The UK National Co-ordinating Committee was established in January 2002 to develop, agree, implement, and oversee a programme of activity for the European Year of Disabled People 2003. It has been responsible for making recommendations to Ministers on the use of the £2.5 million allocated in 2002 by the Department for Work and Pensions and the European Commission to support EYDP activities. It comprises 16 representatives of key national disability organisations and organisations in the public and private sectors. It has met regularly since January 2002 and will be disbanded on 30 June 2004 when the EYDP officially comes to an end. It has no employees. Secretariat services have been provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.