MPs back disabled rights

THE CAMPAIGN to end discrimination against disabled people made a significant advance yesterday, writes Stephen Goodwin.

By 231 votes to 0, MPs gave a Second Reading to the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill, aimed at giving Britain's 6.5 million disabled people the same rights as other citizens.

Introduced by Roger Berry, Labour MP for Kingswood, with all-party support, the Bill would extend to the disabled the type of legislation that makes it illegal to discriminate on grounds of race or sex.

If the Bill, which has passed the Lords, ever reaches the statute book it will not be in its present form. Though John Major says he shares its aim, there are concerns about cost.