CHRONICALLY SICK AND DISABLED PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL (LORDS)

Early day motion 236, tabled 10 July 1997 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 54 members.

That this House believes that the decision of the Law Lords on 20th March to allow local authorities to have regard for their resources when assessing a person's need under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 will have a devastating effect on the quality of life of thousands of disabled people; notes that the Law Lords Gloucestershire judgement was only on a three to two majority; believes that urgent action is required to return the law to the position everyone had understood it to be for the last 27 years; notes with great disappointment that on 9th July 1997 the Government failed to support the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Amendment) Bill (Lords) proposed by Lord Ashley of Stoke; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation as a matter of urgency to give confidence to disabled people that the Government are committed to the principle that community care should be assessed on need and need alone and to also make an urgent statement to clarify their intentions.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 29, Labour 22, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, UUP 1.