§ 29. Sir J. Smythasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what acoustic aids and other facilities are available for disabled persons in wheeled chairs to listen to debates from the Strangers' Gallery.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. James Boyden)A miniature loud speaker has now been installed in the panelling at the back of the Strangers' Gallery where disabled persons in wheelchairs are accommodated.
§ Sir J. SmythDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that there are two main difficulties about bringing a disabled person in a wheeled chair to hear a debate in this House? The first is that one is not allowed to park a disabled person's car in New Palace Yard, which involves the expense and delay of having a taxi to bring such a person in and out. The second was, when I put down this Question, that there was no microphone through which a disabled person could hear a debate. I am grateful to the hon. 23 Gentleman for having a microphone put in which enables one disabled person to hear a debate in this House.