§ 41. Mr. CorbynTo ask the Lord President of the Council what action he is taking to ensure that the Palace of Westminster becomes more accessible to the public.
§ Mr. MacGregorI can only add to what I have said recently on this subject that I expect that the studies on access for the disabled to which I referred on 31 January will be considered by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee before Easter.
§ Mr. CorbynI am pleased that they will be studied before Easter. But why has it taken so long even to produce a report on the lack of access to this building for people with disabilities? It is a disgrace that this building, where the laws are set for the rest of the country, including laws on disabled access, does not provide access for the disabled. Will the right hon. Gentleman make it his personal priority to ensure that before the summer, when many tourists and others will visit the building, we have full disabled access to every floor of the House so that people in wheelchairs do not go through the humiliation of being brought in via the back stairs, so to speak, and taken up in the service lift to attend meetings on the upper floors? It is a disgrace and I hope that the Leader of the House will make sure that it is put right quickly.
§ Mr. MacGregorA number of steps have been taken over the years to improve access for the disabled to the House. I share the view that we should do every thing possible to improve on what we already have. The Parliamentary Works Officer is actively studying suggestions, some of which were made just before Christmas, to improve access to various parts of the House. I am keen that the report should be ready and should be considered by the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee as quickly as possible. That is why I asked that the deadline be set before Easter.
§ Mr. Andrew MacKayWill my right hon. Friend confirm that in the light of the terrorist attack on Downing street last week, public access to the Palace of Westminster will not be reduced in any way? Does he agree that if that were done as a security measure we should be playing straight into the hands of the terrorists?
§ Mr. MacGregorI agree entirely with my hon. Friend that it is extremely important for parliamentary democracy that access to the House continues to be available to the general public. However, he will agree that in the current circumstances it is right to take all appropriate security measues in the light of security advice. That is why several steps have been taken recently to improve security.
§ Dr. CunninghamThe majority of Members—indeed, I hope, the whole House—recognise the urgent need to review security. The measures taken certainly have my support and that of my right hon. and hon. Friends.
To revert to the original question of my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn), the right hon. Gentleman said that a number of steps have been taken. It is the number of steps which is the problem. If the House really intends to resolve the problem of access for disabled people, it should show the same urgency in dealing with that problem as it has shown on security.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe hon. Gentleman will agree that there is nothing between us on the issue. I have been grateful for his support on security matters. Sometimes reports such as the one on the disabled take rather longer than any of us would wish. I have tried to expedite the report because 1 understand the concerns.