HC Deb 16 March 1981 vol 1 cc1-2
1. Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, in view of the fact that 1981 is the International Year of Disabled People, if he will take steps with British airports and British airlines, respectively, to improve facilities for air travel by disabled pepole, especially those confined to wheelchairs.

The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Reginald Eyre)

The provision of facilities for disabled air travellers is a matter for the airports and airlines concerned, and a good dealhas been, and is being, done to improve the lot of the handicapped when they travel by air. Airport and airline representatives have participated in the meetings reviewing the special meeds of disabled passengers held under the auspices of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Transport and the last Minister for Social Security. We encouraged the widest possible airport and airline representation at last Thursday's conference on "Transport without Handicap".

Sir David Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that we have just prayed for the tranquility of the Realm? Is he further aware that the difference between what the airlines say is available to disabled passengers and what actually happens is vast and intranquil?

Mr. Eyre

I, of course, take careful note of my hon. Friend's point. My information is that the British Airports Authority has improved the facilities available, and it is known that further improvements will be made in 1981. Similarly, the airlines' organisation has produced for its airlines a new set of standard procedures for the medical clearance and sympathetic handling of disabled passengers.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Will the Minister give a lot more support to the "Access to the Skies" campaign for the disabled to help give it real teeth? Will he make sure that the fourth terminal at Heathrow airport and the third London airport will provide for such a success from the beginning?

Mr. Eyre

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we shall encourage the relevant authorities and the airlines to do everything they can to be helpful in these directions.

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