Euro-MP to keep up pressure for disability directive

4.15.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Mar 2004

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne is today keeping up the pressure on the European Commission to produce a disability directive.

The Liberal Democrat MEP will question the new Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Stavros Dimas on what progress has been made to implement a specific directive for disabled people.

Speaking before the meeting Liz Lynne MEP said:

"Last year at the closing ceremony of the European Year of People with Disabilities, the then Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said the Commission was committed to introducing a specific disability directive.

"I want to hear from the new commissioner that this is still regarded as a priority and for him to come forward with a clear timetable spelling out when a draft directive will be published

"The Commissioner must also tell us whether infringement provisions are being taken against member states who are not fully implementing the Employment Directive which amongst other areas outlaws the discrimination of disabled people in the job market

"The UK is better than many EU countries in recognising the rights of disabled people, but it is by no means perfect .We need common rights for disabled people across the EU including in the new accession countries and only a specific Disability Directive can ensure this so that disabled people can have access to goods and services as well as to employment.

ENDS

Notes To Editors

As well as being the rapporteur of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003, Liz also drafted the Parliament's report supporting a UN Convention on Disabled People's Rights earlier that year.

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 0033388177521 (Strasbourg) or 077644 52725(mobile) or Press Officer Stuart Ritchie on 01789 266354 or 07833668158