HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc619-20W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to include in the guidance to local authorities on the use of moneys released by the capital receipts initiative a requirement that(a) all new homes will be built to be accessible for disabled people and (b) renovations and refurbishments where appropriate should improve access for disabled people. [54112]

Mr. Raynsford

Within the Capital Receipts Initiative in 1999–2000 it will be for each local authority to decide, within its allocation, how best to use the resources in the light of local circumstances. It will remain open to local authorities to use their allocations to improve accessibility of housing to disabled people where to do so is consistent with both the local housing strategy and the authority's own priorities. We will issue guidance shortly.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions following the Government's decision to cut funding to the Access Committee for England, what action the Government are taking to ensure that issues of access for disabled people are addressed by(a) Government departments and (b) local authorities; and which Government department takes lead responsibility on policy for access for disabled people. [54039]

Mr. Raynsford

I will write to the hon. Member.