§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on his proposals for the establishment of a disability rights commission. [85404]
§ Ms HodgeA public consultation on the Government White Paper "Promoting Disabled People's Rights—Creating a Disability Rights Commission fit for the 21st Century", was held last year.
Seven thousand individuals and organisations were sent a copy of the White Paper or a summary of it. Out of 626 responses, 94 per cent. supported the main proposals on the establishment and role of the Commission. An analysis of responses compiled by an independent market research organisation has been placed in the Library. The report is available in a range of alternative formats on request.
Five national consultation conferences on the White Paper held in September 1998 were attended by over 300 delegates from the business, public and voluntary sectors. The views of the delegates are also reflected in the report.