§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department (i) has already carried out and (ii) plans to carry out with organisations of and representing disabled people in relation to incorporating references to disability discrimination into the treaty on European Union. [3618]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe strongly supported a reference to non-discrimination on the grounds of disability in the revised Treaty text. The Department for Education and Employment, who have the policy lead on this issue, have consulted a number of non-governmental organisations representing disabled people about both the proposed language on non-discrimination and to ensure that the Community's institutions take the needs of the disabled into account when framing single market legislation.