§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1674]
§ Mr. SpellarGiven the nature of my Department's responsibilities I am unable to foresee a situation in which Defence Ministers would be required to frame legislative proposals which would impact significantly on disabled people. In its role as an employer of civilian staff, however, my Department aims, among other things, to tackle any environmental and attitudinal barriers which may exist in the workplace which prevent disabled staff from achieving their full potential. The Programme of Action on Disability is planned to be launched later this year.