§ 4. Mr. Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh, South)How the Government are fulfilling their commitment to support comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for people with disabilities. [94252]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Ms Margaret Hodge)We have made considerable and important progress towards fulfilling our manifesto commitment. To mention just some of the key achievements: the Disability Rights Commission will be in place by April 2000; last December, we reduced the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 employer threshold from 20 to 15; and from 1 October this year, service providers have been required to make reasonable adjustments to their policies and practices for disabled people. We are raising awareness of disability issues through our "see the person" campaign. I know that you, Madam Speaker, like brief answers so I will just say that there is much more to come.
§ Mr. GriffithsThis is landmark legislation of which the Government can be proud. When will the Disability Rights Commission be fully operational? What steps are the Government taking to ensure that people with disabilities are able fully to utilise the services that it offers them?
§ Ms HodgeWe have given a commitment that the Disability Rights Commission will be open for business next April and we have publicly announced the appointment of the chairman, Mr. Bert Massie, who has long experience as a disability campaigner and as chief executive of the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation. We shall ensure that the majority of people on the commission have a disability and that in terms of both where we locate the commission and the way in which it does its work, the organisation is fully accessible to people with a broad range of disabilities, who will want its services.
§ Mr. Roy Beggs (East Antrim)There is widespread acceptance in Northern Ireland that the civil rights of all sections of society must be upheld. Bearing in mind the increased expectations of parents whose children have been statemented, is the Minister satisfied that there is adequate funding to ensure that people with disabilities throughout the United Kingdom receive the individual help that they need and can achieve their full potential through education and training?
§ Ms HodgeThis is an important point. I know that my right hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards has put huge efforts into introducing a new action plan for children with special educational needs, which will be properly funded. I am sure that with that plan in place and the additional funding that has been available, we can ensure that children with disabilities and other special educational needs get the best possible education so that they can meet their full potential.
§ Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge and Chryston)Does my hon. Friend recall that the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 applies to people who work for firms of 15 or more? Does she accept that, given the commendable speed with 1083 which the Government introduced the Disability Rights Commission, it would be appropriate to consult it as well as the Employers Forum on Disability, which is progressive on these matters, about extending that employment protection to other disabled people and those who could find important jobs?
§ Ms HodgeI commend my right hon. Friend's work on disabled people's rights throughout his long and distinguished parliamentary career. I assure him that we share a desire to bring all businesses, whatever their size, within the parameters and framework of disability discrimination legislation. To achieve that, we inserted a clause in the Disability Rights Commission Bill to enable the DRC to advise the Secretary of State on further reductions in the employer's threshold so that we can move as speedily as possible, bringing everyone with us, to coverage of all companies by disability discrimination legislation.