§ Lord Addingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 6 March (HL Deb, cols. 352–53) that "It is not the case that the Government have any view on or support my noble friend's Bill—which must take its chance in the other place, as with all private Members' legislation", whether their approach to the Disability Discrimination (Amendment) Bill [HL] is one of neutrality; and whether they will refrain from supporting any objection to the Bill's Second Reading in the House of Commons. [HL3323]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)The Government do not believe that this Bill, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Ashley of Stoke, is the right vehicle at the right time for taking forward legislation to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 or the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999. Therefore, the Bill must take its chances in the House of Commons, as do all such Private Members' Bills.