HC Deb 28 November 1997 vol 301 cc677-8W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what training is given to chairmen and members of industrial tribunals and the Employment Appeals Tribunal on the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [18329]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Training on the Disability Discrimination Act is a regular feature on the national refresher course for chairmen of industrial tribunals, and has been delivered to all the experienced chairmen who will be dealing with these cases. Training on the Act is also a part of the national programme of training for members of industrial tribunals.

The President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) is planning a seminar on the Act for February for all lay members of EAT.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Employment Tribunal Service has taken to ensure that regional Employment Tribunal offices comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [18328]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act, the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) has reviewed all its premises and taken steps to comply with the Act by making alterations where necessary.

All ETS leaflets are available in Braille, audio tape, disc and large print. The national Inquiry Line is equipped with a minicom textphone and is answered by RNID-trained staff. In addition, each office has a Customer Services Officer, trained by the RNID and the RNIB, who will inform the Chairman of a tribunal if a person with special needs is attending a hearing.