HC Deb 26 June 1973 vol 858 cc311-2W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will request local authorities to inform him whether all new buildings intended for public use are being built with clear access for the disabled.

Mr. Channon

Section 4 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 requires anyone providing a building or premises to be open to the public to include provision for the needs of disabled persons in so far as it is practicable and reasonable to do so. I have no reason to believe that at this stage a special inquiry of local authorities about the operation of that section is necessary; but I hope the hon. Member will remain in touch with me about this important topic.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the conflict between the Fire Precautions Act and the provision of access for the disabled, what action he proposes.

Mr. Channon

Section 11 of the Fire Precautions Act enables my right hon. and learned Friend to make building regulations in respect of means of escape from buildings in the case of fire. Certain regulations under this section will be laid before Parliament shortly. However, where the need to maintain public safety by means of building regulations conflicts with the desirability of providing special access for the disabled, the former must prevail. A reconciliation of these needs is increasingly being achieved through better design. In consultation with my Department the Central Council for the Disabled issued earlier this year a note on the building regulations and the disabled.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will convene a meeting between his experts in fire precautions and those voluntary bodies concerned with access for the disabled.

Mr. Channon

I am not aware of any immediate reason for such a meeting, but if the voluntary bodies concerned with access for the disabled require any information about the building regulations in respect of structural fire precautions my Department will certainly provide it. A meeting can be arranged later if this proves necessary.