§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what recent representations he has received regarding the exclusion of barristers from the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; [120782]
(2) what plans he has to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to include barristers; and if he will make a statement. [120781]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 8 May 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a report on 13 December 1999 from the Disability Rights Task Force, 100W set up by the Government to consult and advise on how to implement comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people. In its final report, the Task Force made over 150 recommendations. On 13 December, my right hon. Friend announced that the Government would be bringing forward legislation to give effect to the education recommendations of the Task Force. On 30 March, the Government issued an interim response to the report's recommendations in the areas of local government, health and social services, housing, the environment and participation in public life.
Also on 30 March, I informed the House in a written reply that the Government are still considering a number of the recommendations that would require legislative changes to the DDA. One such recommendation is that the employment provisions of civil rights legislation should cover barristers. The Government's final response to the report will be made in due course.