COMMONS AMENDMENT (Hansard, 19 July 1999)

§ Baroness Blackstone
My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1. The simple aim of this amendment is clarification. It removes a possible misunderstanding of the use of the term "government agency" by making clear that the Disability Rights Commission may make proposals or give other advice to any government agency or other public authority.
Noble Lords will recall that the Bill, as originally introduced, enabled the commission, for purposes connected with the performance of its functions, to give advice as to the practical application of any law. During the passage of the Bill in this House, subsection 2(2)(b) was inserted to make the power explicit in relation to a government agency. However, the term "government agency" is not entirely clear and could have inadvertently suggested that some public authorities would not be covered. The amendment extends the provision to include "other public authority" so that it is apparent, beyond doubt, that such a body is covered.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I rise to say that I welcome the extension of the definition of "public authority".

§ Lord Rix
My Lords, I am delighted to support Amendments Nos. 1 to 32 en bloc. As I and other noble Lords have said on a number of occasions, I am heartened that the Government have sought to drive through a piece of legislation which will fundamentally enhance the lives of millions of disabled people by seeking to ensure the delivery of full comprehensive civil rights.
In particular, I should like to thank the Minister for the way in which the Bill has been shaped and improved by the willingness of the Government to bring forward amendments in the interests of improving the remit and operation of the commission. In earlier deliberations on the Bill, we were assured that the commission will provide or arrange any support that any disabled person may require in their dealings with the commission, including the provision of advocacy support for people with learning disabilities and communication support for those with sensory impairments. I am certain that the commission will implement those commitments in practice.
We were also assured that it is inconceivable that the first chair of the commission will not be a disabled person. That is an important statement which will send a positive message to industry and should allow the commission to be headed up by an excellent authoritative figure. In terms of the appointment of individual commissioners, we have 730 heard that applications from disabled people will be encouraged, including people with learning disabilities. We would warmly welcome such appointments.
The duty of the commission has been extended to include a duty to promote good practice in all fields of its activity. That will enable business and employers to access high quality advice and support in meeting their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. Before us today we have amendments which were accepted in another place, including amendments to improve non-discrimination notices and to enable the commission to issue injunctions to prevent persistent discrimination.
I fully support these amendments and look forward to them being encompassed into statute. The effects of the Bill should not be underestimated; nor should this Government's indisputable commitment to the civil rights of disabled people. I look forward to April 2000 when the commission will be up and running, helping to ensure that communities never again treat disabled people as second-class citizens.