Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to introduce legislation in the near future to make progress in removing, where possible. obstacles and restrictions which hamper the lives of disabled people. [HL2290]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of HeighamMy honourable friend the Minister for Disabled People (Maria Eagle) will shortly be laying regulations to implement disability provisions of the Article 13 Employment Directive. These will protect disabled people from discrimination where they work for, or seek jobs with, over 1 million small employers.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Smith) announced on 22 January (Official Report col 12WS) that he would be publishing a draft Disability Bill later this year aimed at including further proposals outlined in our consultation document Towards Inclusion. The exact scope and content of the Bill are yet to be finalised, but we would expect the new provisions to help tackle many of the difficulties disabled people can face in society.
In addition, last year my honourable friend the Minister for Disabled People laid regulations which in October 2004 will bring into effect legislation requiring service providers to take reasonable steps to tackle physical barriers experienced by disabled people in gaining access to their services. She also recently laid 32WA regulations which will make it easier for people who are registered or certified in Great Britain as blind or partially-sighted gain protection under the DDA. These come into force on 14 April 2003.