Draft Disability Discrimination Bill

HC Deb 06 January 2004 vol 416 cc336-7W

Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons it is proposed to extend the definition of disability in the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill to include people infected by HIV. [145729]

Maria Eagle

People with progressive conditions, such as HIV infection, are already covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 from the point at which the condition gives rise to an impairment which has some effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities, and which will be likely to have a substantial adverse effect. The Government are proposing to cover people with HIV infection before symptoms develop because it is concerned that discrimination can arise at a much earlier stage.