Orders of the Day — Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Amendment) Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 9:42 am on 18 November 1983.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Robert Wareing Robert Wareing , Liverpool, West Derby 9:42, 18 November 1983

I did raise that matter. I came away from the meeting feeling that there was no hope at that time about the money resolution. Nevertheless, the Minister seemed to have some sympathy for the general ideas that I put to him. I hoped that, after the Minister had discussed the matter with his departmental colleagues and other members of the Government, they would be forthcoming, knowing my flexible attitude and knowing that the Bill could be amended in Committee. If the Bill needs to be polished, I should be only too pleased for that to happen. Indeed, I already have in mind certain amendments.

In these days when executive power is so strong, and when that power of the Executive means that the will of the House tends to be the will of the Executive, in spite of the free will and the feelings of individual Members, occasions are rare when the House is able to assert itself, when its decisions do not bring about either the maintenance or the fall of Governments. I believe that this is one of those occasions. I believe that it would be wrong for hon. Members on either side to be whipped into battle. It would be an outrage. It would reverberate around the country if the Government were simply to trample on the wishes of 5½ million handicapped people. Let the Government have the courage to tell those people that they do not believe in anti-discrimination legislation. As I said earlier, the Division lists will be scrutinised. Certainly I, my colleagues and the organisations for disabled people will make sure that every vote will be contained in information spread throughout the land.

No matter what decision the House makes today, there will come a time when Parliament will put on the statute book either this Bill or something like it so that human rights may he accorded something more than the lip service paid by so many people. We need real practical help for the disabled. It is my privilege to serve them. I shall not hold back any energy in future years in ensureing that the Bill reaches the statute book. I call on all right hon. and hon. Members to give the Bill a Second Reading.