§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy on the harassment of disabled people; and which Department is responsible for the collection of statistics on such harassment. [6434]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 8 July 1997]: The Government deplore discrimination against disabled people and are committed to developing comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work.
All members of society including disabled people are protected from harassment under the new criminal and civil measures in the Protection of Harassment Act 1997. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 gives disabled people a personal right to protection from detrimental action taken against them on account of their disability in a wide range of areas of life. The DDA also protects disabled people from being victimised for asserting their right. Statistics have not been collated centrally on acts of harassment or victimisation in relation to these Acts.