§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to be able to add to their response to the debate on disabled people on 30 April (HL Deb, co1.701–739) in regard to further legislative provision to improve their well-being and status. [HL2804]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham):Since the debate on 30 April, my honourable friend in another place, the Minister for Disabled People, has laid before Parliament draft regulations to implement the disability provisions of the EU Employment Directive. Subject to parliamentary approval, these provisions will come 31WA into force on 1 October 2004. Among other matters, they will end current employment and occupational exclusions in the Disability Discrimination Act, bringing within scope of the Act over 1 million additional small employers and 7 million jobs in which 600,000 disabled people already work. We will publish a draft Disability Bill later this year which will contain further measures to extend disabled people's civil rights in a number of areas. Announcements will be made in due course.