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Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment etc.) (General Qualifications Bodies) (Alteration of Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2007

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his customary clear and informative explanation of these regulations, which we support. In doing so, I declare my interest as a trustee of the Disability Partnership. It is vital that the disabled are not put at a disadvantage in the pursuit of educational qualifications. I therefore welcome the general qualification bodies being brought into line with their vocational counterparts. Indeed these regulations represent a clear confirmation that the Government have taken on board the QCA’s recent curriculum review, which identified that constraints imposed by exam boards are one of the main barriers to inclusion. It is right that these regulations seek to eliminate discrimination from the exam system, and I wish them every possible success. However, I am concerned that these regulations do not seem to cover the new 14 to 19 diplomas. I hope the Minister can reassure me on that point. It is right that leasehold premises will now be required to undertake alterations in order to secure access for disabled exam candidates as well as those who hold the freehold on premises. While I am pleased that the Government have taken the Disability Rights Commission’s recommendations on this matter, I would be grateful if the Minister would describe in a little more detail what ““alterations”” might entail. Effective implementation and enforcement of these regulations will be vital to their success. What extra training will be provided to magistrates and clerks, who will have new duties of enforcement? Moreover, the impact on qualification institutions cannot be ignored. Has the Minister established what the extra cost will be of the increased administrative burden of these regulations? It is an important point, because without effective management of the regulations their implementation may be compromised. I am pleased to see the introduction of these reasonable recommendations and look forward to the Minister’s response to my questions.