§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many hours of civil servant time, and at what cost, was spent on drafting new clauses and amendments to the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill.
§ Mr. ScottI refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on 12 May at column213.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received since Friday 6 May from disabled people's organisations and others regarding progress on the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill; what has been the nature of such representations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottTo date I have received eight letters and a small number of telephone calls relating to the future of the Bill which is scheduled to continue its Report stage on 20 May.
I announced the Government's plans for combating discrimination against disabled people during the debate on Report of the Bill on 6 May at column 996 and gave further details in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton (Mrs. Browning) on 10 May at column 136.
§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the calculations underlying the cost compliance assessment in respect of the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill.
§ Mr. ScottThe basis for the calculations is contained within the compliance cost assessment, copies of which were placed in the Library on 5 May.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when was the last date before 6 May that he discussed the progress of the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill with the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. LilleyThere was a discussion at Cabinet on 5 May which focused on the Government's own proposals on civil rights for disabled people and the compliance cost assessment of the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill.