§ Lady Hermon:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to cover education and transport services in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [142693]
§ Mr. Spellar:It is proposed to issue a Northern Ireland consultation document on the proposal to remove the exemption for transport services in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 early next year.
In relation to the coverage of education, the Act will effectively be extended to cover Northern Ireland by way of Special Educational Needs and Disability legislation which is currently in course of preparation and is expected to be made next year.