HL Deb 25 July 1978 vol 395 cc777-8

2.58 p.m.

Baroness VICKERS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action has been taken in regard to United Nations Resolution 3447 (XXX) adopted 9th December 1975, on the Declaration of the rights of disabled persons.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, in many cases, the aims of the Declaration had already been achieved in this country, and in others we were actively seeking to achieve them before the Declaration was approved. Ministers generally, and my honourable friend the Minister for the Disabled in particular, have been consistently seeking to improve the quality of life for disabled people since this Government took office. A progress report on the Declaration was recently submitted to the United Nations, and we shall be making arrangements for it to be published. When it is published, I shall see that a copy is placed in the Library of your Lordships' House.

Baroness VICKERS

My Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply I should like to ask him whether the Declaration has yet been ratified and signed by the United Kingdom?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I do not know whether it has been ratified and signed. All I can say is that it has been sent to the United Nations.