§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change his guidelines to the police on diabetes. [44489]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 19 March 2002]: The guidelines on diabetes are currently under review by independent medical experts as part of the Home Office's National Recruitment Standards project. This work aims to ensure that occupational medical standards for police recruitment are evidence-based, job-related and not unfairly discriminatory. The new standards are expected to be applied consistently by the 43 forces of England and Wales.
The medical review will also take into account the implications of the proposed extension of the employment related provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act to the police.
Recommendations on proposed new medical standards should be available for consultation by July/August 2002.