§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was his response to the Northern Ireland Council on Disability's proposals for equality of opportunity in employment for disabled people; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he has any plans for further consultations with the Northern Ireland Council on Disability regarding equality of employment opportunity for people with disabilities;
(3) what plans he has for promoting equality of opportunity in employment for people in Northern Ireland with disabilities.
§ Mr. ViggersFollowing consideration of all responses, including those received from the Northern Ireland Council on Disability, to the Government's consultative paper on equality of opportunity in employment the council has been advised that disability in Northern Ireland will continue to be addressed in the same way as in the rest of the United Kingdom. Discussions are, however, taking place between council and Government officials to examine how employment and training provision for disabled people can be most effectively administered and to consider proposals by the NICD that an equality of opportunity unit within its own organisation should be established.