HC Deb 22 July 1968 vol 769 cc1-2
1. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what further steps he is now taking to encourage provision to be made for assisting the disabled in the design and construction of public buildings.

The Minister of Public Building and Works (Mr. Robert Mellish)

I am considering revising and republishing the pamphlet "Access to Public Buildings for the Disabled" which was issued in 1965. In addition, at the invitation of the Central Council for the Disabled, I have recently nominated a member of my staff to help in the work of the Council's Accessibility Panel. I am reviewing further ways in which my Ministry could help.

Mr. Campbell

I am glad to hear of the Minister's interest in this. Has he accepted the British Standards Institution's Code of Practice No. 96 on access to buildings for the disabled, and is he stipulating that it should be observed in the design and construction of buildings for which he is responsible?

Mr. Mellish

Yes. The liaison between ourselves and the Central Council is, as I have just said, very close indeed. My Department has set an example in our own design work, and there is close collaboration between my Ministry, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and the Ministry of Health. I accept from the hon. Gentleman the implication that we have to do much more for the needs of the disabled.