§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance she intends to issue to(a) Departments, (b) executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies and arm's-length organisations which she has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if she will make a statement. [9232]
§ Mr. PaiceA brief guide to the Disability Discrimination Act was issued in November 1995 and further information material on the provisions of the Act will follow. We are currently consulting on a draft code of practice relating to the employment provisions in the Act and statutory guidance related to the definition of disability. Consultation on proposals for regulations under the education, employment and definition provisions of the Act is also currently underway.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security will be asking the National Disability Council, when it first meets, to produce and consult on a code of practice relating to the rights of access to goods and services. At the same time he will consult on associated regulations. All these items will be published in plenty of time to allow those with duties under the Act to prepare themselves for the introduction of the new rights. I shall ensure that the Department and any bodies for which it is responsible will be made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.