Written question asked by Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 8 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Disability

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by the Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government departments.

Answer: This Department has responded positively to the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report; for example, work has commenced on the Disability Equality Scheme, which will be completed by the end of December 2006. There was initial input from disabled members of the judiciary, members of staff and users of the Department's services. There will be further reviews of the Scheme by people with disabilities before the final publication. The document will detail the Department's promotion of disability issues internally, accessibility to buildings, communication, procurement, recruitment, and the support to members of the judiciary with disabilities.An annual report will be issued, reporting on the progress of the action plans contained within the Scheme.The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) will also report annually to the Prime Minister on cross-government progress in implementing the Strategy Unit report, ““Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People””. The first report is due to be published by summer 2006. It will contain an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by the ODI to fulfil its specific responsibilities, which require the active involvement of other Government Departments. It will also include an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and other Government Departments to fulfil the responsibilities they have outside of the ODI remit.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 37082; 441 c234-5W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Disability
Monday, 30 January 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Disability Department for Work and Pensions Equality Government departments
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk