§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of alleged discrimination against disabled people have been made to him during each of the years 1982 to 1988 inclusive; and if he will outline what action was taken in each case.
§ Mr. ScottSince 1983, 34 cases of alleged discrimination against disabled people have been referred to the Department following the invitation by the then Minister for the disabled, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Sir H.Rossi). The number received each year is as follows:
Cases 1983 22 1984 3 1985 2 1986 none 1987 4 11988 3 1 First 6 months. For those cases where investigations have been completed:
- In 10 cases no evidence of discrimination was found.
- In six cases, insufficient information was available to enable enquiries to be completed.
- In four cases there were genuine problems of access.
- Three cases involved judgments by a particular employer that the individual's disability adversely affected their ability to perform the job efficiently or safely.
- In three cases the problem was resolved in favour of the complainant during the course of our enquiries.
- Two cases involved commercial judgments, the basis of which could not effectively be checked.
- One case concerned maritime regulations laid before Parliament.
- One case was a complaint by a disabled person against an employee who was subsequently disciplined by the employer.
- One case involved a conflict of opinion over the application of 'right to buy' housing legislation.
- In one case the Department requested further information from the complainant but received no response.
- In one case the complainant was seeking the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation and we responded by setting out our position on this issue.
- There is currently one case still under consideration.