Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in establishing the Disability Rights Commission. [109139]
§ Ms HodgeThere has been good progress in establishing the Commission since the Bill to set it up received Royal Assent in July 1999. I expect it to open its doors for business on 25 April this year. The chair, the commissioners and the chief executive of the Commission have all been appointed. Recruitment of the Commission's staff is under way. The DRC's main office in Manchester is being fitted out.