§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidelines his Department(a) issued before the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and (b) has issued since the passing of the Act concerning the access by disabled people to cinemas; [28247]
(2) what information his Department has distributed to cinemas concerning the requirements placed upon them by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and the timescale within which those requirements must be satisfied; [28248]
(3) what consultations his Department has undertaken on the Health and Safety aspects of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as far as access to cinemas is concerned. [28249]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthGuidance on access by disabled people to public places has been available from a number of sources, including the Government, for some time. Information which focuses specifically on disabled people's access to cinemas has not been produced by the Government, although the Cinema Exhibitors" Association has produced guidance for its members both on employing disabled people and welcoming them as consumers.
The Code of Practice for the Elimination of Discrimination in the Field of Employment (price £9.95), Guidance on Matters to be Taken into Account in Determining Questions Relating to the Definition of 846W Disability (price £7.50) and the Code of Practice—Rights of Access—Goods, Facilities, Services and premises (price £6.00) are available from the Stationery Office.
Prior to the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1.6 million service providers were sent a leaflet advising them that they had responsibilities under the Act and encouraging them to obtain further information from the DDA Information Line. To support this exercise there was an extensive national press advertising campaign.
The DDA Information Line continues to provide a range of free information concerning the requirements of the DDA. It can be contacted by telephone on 0345 622633, by textphone on 0345 622644 or by writing to DDA Information, Freepost MID02164, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9BR. A press campaign is underway to remind service providers, employers, and disabled people of this service.
The DDA's relationship with health and safety questions was considered during public consultations preceding the drafting of the legislation, in the White Paper Ending Discrimination against Disabled People which resulted from those consultations and during the National Disability Council's consultations over the goods, facilities and services code of practice. The code makes clear that the Act does not require a service provider to do anything which would endanger the health or safety of any person, including that of a disabled person. It goes on to state that spurious health and safety reasons will provide no defence to an allegation of discrimination and that, for example, the fire regulations should not be used as an excuse to place unnecessary restrictions on disabled people. The code also explains that it is for the management of the establishment concerned, in conjunction with the licensing authority, to make any special provision needed. Paragraph 5.7 states that "Every opportunity should be taken, as far as practicable, to enable disabled people to use cinemas, theatres, leisure centres and other entertainment venues".
The Government are considering the timetable for implementing the remaining rights of access—the duties placed on service providers to carry out reasonable adjustments to improve access to services—and will announce their decision in due course. Further consultations over a revised code of practice and new regulations will follow. I will ensure that the Cinema Exhibitors" Association is invited to contribute to these consultations.