HC Deb 31 October 1995 vol 265 cc161-2

Lords amendment: No. 89, after clause 35, to insert the following new clause—Application to Parliament— .—(1) This Act applies to an act done by or for purposes of the House of Lords or the House of Commons as it applies to an act done by a private person. (2) For the purposes of the application of Part II in relation to the House of Commons, the Corporate Officer of that House shall be treated as the employer of a person who is (or would be) a relevant member of the House of Commons staff for the purposes of section 188 of the Employment Rights Act 1995. (3) Except as provided in subsection (4), for the purposes of the application of sections 12 to 15, the provider of services is—

  1. (a) as respects the House of Lords, the Corporate Officer of that House; and
  2. (b) as respects the House of Commons, the Corporate Officer of that House.
(4) Where the service in question is access to and use of any place in the Palace of Westminster which members of the public are permitted to enter, the Corporate Officers of both Houses jointly are the provider of that service. (5) Nothing in any rule of law or the law or practice of Parliament prevents proceedings being instituted before an industrial tribunal under Part II or before any court under Part III.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.—[Mr. Burt.]

Madam Deputy Speaker

With this, we may consider Government amendment to the Lords amendment, (a), in line 8, leave out '188 of the Employment Rights Act 1995' and insert '139 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978'.

Mr. Tom Clarke

At the recent lobbies to the House, many disabled people and organisations of disabled people were concerned—and it was a matter raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner)—that they did not have adequate access facilities, and even when they attempted to have a discussion in Westminster Hall, they were not allowed facilities for loudspeaker equipment.

I know that the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People is concerned to correct that position, but it might be helpful if he confirmed to the House that discussions to improve all this is continuing.

Mr. Burt

I am happy to respond. I share the concern that was raised at the time of the lobby. Discussions are going on to deal with that with the House authorities and with the Serjeant at Arms' office. I am sure that hon. Members will appreciate the written answer that appeared in Hansard on Tuesday 24 October, which was in response to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris), and which gave details of the latest substantial alterations that have been completed to the palace of Westminster in favour of disabled people.

On the problem of microphones in Westminster Hall, I have not yet had an answer on that issue, but it is a live one. I know that discussions continue, and we are all anticipating future lobbies to see how that problem can be dealt with.

Mr. Clarke

With the leave of the House, I thank the Minister for that helpful statement. I know that he will have the support of my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Mr. Powell), who spoke on this issue a few weeks ago, and who shares the Minister's and the House's concern.

Lords amendment No. 89 and Government atnendment (a) agreed to.

Lords amendments Nos. 90 to 111 agreed to.

Lords amendments Nos. 112 to 127 agreed to.

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