HC Deb 01 May 1995 vol 259 c12
12. Mr. Skinner

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent meetings he has had with disabled people to discuss civil rights questions. [20130]

Mr. Hague

I have met, and shall continue to meet, disabled people and members of their organisations to discuss a wide variety of issues.

Mr. Skinner

Is the Minister aware that on Friday hundreds of disabled people—some in wheelchairs, some on sticks—came to Parliament hoping to see the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill pass its Committee stage and be passed into law? They were met by a stony-faced Government who swamped the Bill in Committee with more than 100 amendments, many of which the Minister was responsible for. The net result was that those people were turned away at the gates and the Government kicked their crutches away. No wonder the people out there treat this Government with contempt.

Mr. Hague

Later this year, disabled people will have a great deal to celebrate because the Disability Discrimination Bill, which has been passed by the House and is now in another place, will spell the end of discrimination against disabled people in this country. It is a Conservative Government who will have placed on the statute book a working piece of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.