Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on “Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain” – 9 December 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on “Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain” on 9th December 1986.

Mr. Gareth Wardell Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has any plans to update the 1968-69 survey carried out by Amelia Harris, “Handicapped and Impaired in Great Britain”.

Mr. Major My right hon. Friend announced on 2 April 1984 that there was to be a new survey of the extent of disablement in the population of Great Britain. As in 1968-69, this is being carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The survey forms part of the Government’s strategy on the reform of social security benefits as illustrated by the references to benefits for disabled people, in volumes 1 to 3 of the Green Paper “Reform of Social Security” (Cmnd. 5917-9).

Interviews in relation to a nationally representative sample of children and adults with significant disabilities living in private households were completed last year. Interviews in relation to a representative sample of adults in communal establishments are almost complete and the possibility of extending this to disabled children permanently resident in institutions is under consideration. Publication of the full results of the survey is expected in 1988.