§
'In section 55 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 there shall be inserted after subsection (3)—
(3A) In determining the amount of a supplementary credit approval, the Secretary of State shall have regard to the strategy of the authority to ensure full accessibility standards in new build and in conversion or renovation of existing properties.".'.—[Mr. Sanders.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
3.45 pm§ Mr. Adrian Sanders (Torbay)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
The new clause would put some restrictions on the expenditure of moneys drawn down from the supplementary credit approvals. We believe that it presents an excellent opportunity to address the serious problem of the lack of accessible housing for disabled people. That problem has existed for many years.
According to the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation, a considerable amount of local authority housing is inaccessible to disabled people. That leads not only to disabled people waiting long periods for rehousing, and living in inappropriate accommodation, but to massive expenditure on building adaptions. In 1994–95, local authorities spent nearly £85 million adapting properties for disabled people. That is a considerable amount, and much expenditure is a direct consequence of not having a building regulation that makes the necessary arrangements should existing housing stock be required by people with disabilities.
Two years ago, the Department of the Environment issued proposals to extend part M of the building regulations, which ensures accessibility to all new housing. The Department has not moved on from that initial set of proposals. Unless part M is extended quickly, it will have no effect on the supplementary credit approvals and an opportunity will be lost.
New clause 1 would ensure that new build and renovated properties are accessible to disabled people. We hope that our new clause will be supported on all sides of the House so that people with disabilities will no longer have to wait for housing adaptions, and disabled people on housing waiting lists will be able to move into accommodation that is appropriate to their needs.
§ The Minister for London and Construction (Mr. Nick Raynsford)As the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) has said, new clause 1 would place a new duty on the Secretary of State to take account of each local authority's strategy to ensure full accessibility standards in determining the amount of any supplementary credit approval. Although he may not be aware of it, the hon. Gentleman's new clause would apply 776 to the determination of all supplementary credit approvals and not just to those issued under the capital receipts initiative. Therefore, the new clause may go rather further than the hon. Gentleman intends.
I do not think that, in his heart of hearts, the hon. Gentleman sees the purpose of requiring that accessibility standards be considered when distributing supplementary credit approvals for composting, flood defences or for cycle lanes. However, that would be the effect of the new clause. While we cannot possibly accept the new clause because it would create a nonsensical position, the hon. Gentleman has nevertheless raised an issue which the Government take very seriously. The hon. Gentleman knows that because, when he raised the issue on Second Reading. I assured him that the Government were considering seriously part M of the building regulations and its extension to residential dwellings.
Under the previous Government, the Department issued a consultation paper on the subject. We have given careful thought to the many responses that we have received and I have been actively involved in bringing together the House Builders Federation and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which take slightly different views on how progress should be made. We are trying to find a sensible accord that will allow real progress without imposing unreasonable additional costs that might have an adverse effect on individual house buyers and the market. We are taking urgent action on the issue, which we take very seriously.
In the meantime, measures are in place to ensure that all new developments of special needs housing, and housing for the elderly and frail, are covered by Housing Corporation scheme standards, which specifically require that the housing design must provide for the access needs of older people and must meet a range of accessibility standards. Housing specifically for wheelchair users has to meet further guidelines agreed between the corporation and the National Wheelchair Housing Association Group. Any passenger lifts in new social housing must be able to accommodate wheelchairs.
§ Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley)Funnily enough, in a way I support the Minister's argument that the new clause would increase bureaucracy and work for the Department and local authorities. I am particularly conscious of that, because the Bill will already double their work load. Does the Minister agree that the Bill introduces a twin-track approach, bringing in a separate parallel procedure similar to those already existing for local authorities and the Department?
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe hon. Gentleman is wrong on both counts. As I hope he knows, the Bill has been warmly welcomed by local authorities throughout the country. They see it as a means of increasing investment in housing, which has been scandalously neglected for the past 18 years.
My point was not about bureaucracy, but about the need to ensure effective measures to extend accessibility standards in new housing and in the conversion of older housing without imposing unreasonable costs that would hit the consumer and possibly harm the housing market. That is a sensible concern. We are working in everybody's interests to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in a practical way.
777 I was assuring the hon. Member for Torbay that there were safeguards on all new housing association developments. Similar standards apply to new housing developments by housing associations supported by local authority social housing grant. Any housing associations developments with funding from supplementary credit approvals under the capital receipts initiative will have to meet those standards. The standards of accessibility that the hon. Gentleman is seeking in new investment undertaken as a result of the initiative will be guaranteed.
In the light of my explanation of why the problem cannot be dealt with in the way that the hon. Gentleman suggests and my assurances that the Government already have that important matter under active consideration, I hope that he will agree not to press the new clause.
§ Mr. SandersI thank the Minister for that comprehensive explanation, but the purpose of the new clause is not just to focus on developments that are specifically designed for people with disabilities, but to ensure that a person who acquires a disability in later life can remain in the home that they had lived in until they acquired that disability. For example, stairways should be designed with possible later adaptation to add a mechanical stairlift in mind. That would ensure that people with disabilities could remain in the community and would not be ghettoised in housing for the disabled. We look to the Government to bring in such standards, because they have been lacking until now.
Whether or not the Bill goes that far, cycleways should be accessible to people with disabilities. If it does, all well and good, but, although we take on board the Minister's comments—and I thank him for his reply—we wish to push the new clause to a vote. It is an important marker which demonstrates our slightly different approach. We do not want people with disabilities to be ghettoised; everyone should have the possibility of their housing being adapted if that is required at a later date.
Let me give a wonderful example from my constituency. Some houses had supposedly been designed for elderly people, but no provision to that effect had been made in the building regulations. The kitchen cupboards were too high for elderly people to reach, as elderly people are not quite as tall as younger people; we lose a few inches as we get older. The food cupboard was in front of a water heating pipe, so it was useless for the storage of food. Such incidences require local authorities to spend money on adjustments that would not be required if standards had been laid down before construction.
§ Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 38, Noes 303.
780| Division No. 48] | [3.55 pm |
| AYES | |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | Cotter, Brian |
| Baker, Norman | Davey, Edward (Kingston) |
| Ballard, Mrs Jackie | Fearn, Ronnie |
| Beggs, Roy (E Antrim) | Foster, Don (Bath) |
| Beith, Rt Hon A J | George, Andrew (St Ives) |
| Brake, Thomas | Gorrie, Donald |
| Brand, Dr Peter | Hancock, Mike |
| Breed, Colin | Harris, Dr Evan |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Hughes, Simon (Southwark N) |
| Burnett, John | Keetch, Paul |
| Campbell, Menzies (NE Fife) | Kennedy, Charles (Ross Skye) |
| Chidgey, David | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Livsey, Richard | Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns) |
| Llwyd, Elfyn | Stunell, Andrew |
| Maclennan, Robert | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Moore, Michael | Webb, Professor Steve |
| Oaten, Mark | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Öpik, Lembit | |
| Rendel, David | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Russell, Bob (Colchester) | Mr. Paul Tyler and |
| Sanders, Adrian | Mr. Paul Burstow. |
| NOES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Cousins, Jim |
| Adams, Mrs lrene (Paisley N) | Cranston, Ross |
| Ainger, Nick | Crausby, David |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) |
| Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) | Cryer, John (Hornchurch) |
| Armstrong, Ms Hilary | Cummings, John |
| Ashton, Joe | Cunliffe, Lawrence |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S) |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr John (Copeland) |
| Austin, John | |
| Barnes, Harry | Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire |
| Barron, Kevin | Darling, Rt Hon Alistair |
| Bayley, Hugh | Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) |
| Beard, Nigel | Davidson, Ian |
| Beckett, Rt Hon Mrs Margaret | Davies, Rt Hon Denzll (Llanelli) |
| Begg, Miss Anne (Aberd'n S) | Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) |
| Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) | Dawson, Hilton |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Dean, Mrs Janet |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Denham, John |
| Berry, Roger | Dewar, Rt Hon Donald |
| Best Harold | Dismore, Andrew |
| Betts, Clive | Donohoe, Brian H |
| Blackman, Liz | Dowd, Jim |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Drew, David |
| Blizzard, Bob | Drown, Ms Julia |
| Boateng, Paul | Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) |
| Borrow, David | Edwards, Huw |
| Bradley, Keith (Withington) | Efford, Clive |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Ellman, Ms Louise |
| Brinton, Mrs Helen | Ennis, Jeff |
| Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) | Etherington, Bill |
| Brown, Russell (Dumfries) | Fitzpatrick, Jim |
| Browne, Desmond (Kilmarnock) | Flint, Caroline |
| Buck, Ms Karen | Flynn, Paul |
| Burden, Richard | Follett, Barbara |
| Burgon, Colin | Foster, Michael John (Worcester) |
| Byers, Stephen | Fyfe, Maria |
| Caborn, Richard | Gerrard, Neil |
| Campbell, Alan (Tynernouth) | Gibson, Dr Ian |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | Godman, Dr Norman A |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Godsiff, Roger |
| Campbell-Savours, Dale | Goggins, Paul |
| Cann, Jamie | Golding, Mrs Llin |
| Caplin, Ivor | Grant, Bernie |
| Casale, Roger | Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) |
| Caton, Martin | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Cawsey, Ian | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) | Grogan, John |
| Chisholm, Malcolm | Gunnell, John |
| Clapham, Michael | Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) |
| Clark, Dr Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands) | Hall, Patrick (Bedford) |
| Hanson, David | |
| Clark, Paul (Gillingham) | Heal, Mrs Sylvia |
| Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) | Healey, John |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) | Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N) |
| Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) | Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) |
| Clelland, David | Hepburn, Stephen |
| Coaker, Vernon | Heppell, John |
| Coffey, Ms Ann | Hewitt, Ms Patricia |
| Colman, Tony (Putney) | Hill, Keith |
| Connarty, Michael | Hodge, Ms Margaret |
| Cooper, Yvette | Hoey, Kate |
| Corbett, Robin | Home Robertson, John |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Hood, Jimmy |
| Corston, Ms Jean | Hoon, Geoffrey |
| Hope, Phil | Morris, Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley) |
| Hopkins, Kelvin | Morris, Rt Hon John (Aberavon) |
| Howells, Dr Kim | Mountford, Kali |
| Hoyle, Lindsay | Mudie, George |
| Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford) | Mullin, Chris |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) |
| Humble, Mrs Joan | Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) |
| Hurst, Alan | Norris, Dan |
| Hutton, John | O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) |
| Iddon, Dr Brian | O'Brien, Mike (N Warks) |
| Illsley, Eric | Olner, Bill |
| Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead) | Organ, Mrs Diana |
| Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) | Osborne, Mrs Sandra |
| Jamieson, David | Pearson, Ian |
| Jenkins, Brian (Tamworth) | Pendry, Tom |
| Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) | Pickthall, Colin |
| Pike, Peter L | |
| Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside) | Plaskitt, James |
| Jones, Ms Fiona (Newark) | Pollard, Kerry |
| Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) | Pond, Chris |
| Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak) | Pound, Stephen |
| Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) | Powell, Sir Raymond |
| Jowell, Ms Tessa | Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) |
| Keeble, Ms Sally | Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) |
| Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston) | Prescott, Rt Hon John |
| Keen, Mrs Ann (Brentford) | Primarolo, Dawn |
| Kemp, Fraser | Prosser, Gwyn |
| Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree) | Purchase, Ken |
| Kidney, David | Quin, Ms Joyce |
| Kilfoyle, Peter | Quinn, Lawrie (Scarborough) |
| King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green) | Rammell, Bill |
| Kumar, Dr Ashok | Rapson, Syd |
| Ladyman, Dr Stephen | Raynsford, Nick |
| Lawrence, Ms Jackie | Robinson, Geoffrey (Cov'try NW) |
| Laxton, Bob | Roche, Mrs Barbara |
| Lepper, David | Rogers, Allan |
| Levitt, Tom | Rooney, Terry |
| Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) | Roy, Frank |
| Lewis, Terry (Worsley) | Ruane, Chris |
| Linton, Martin | Savidge, Malcolm |
| Livingstone, Ken | Sawford, Phil |
| Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C) | Sedgemore, Brian |
| Love, Andrew | Sheerman, Barry |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert |
| McCabe, Stephen | Shipley, Ms Debra |
| McCafferty, Ms Chris | Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) |
| McCartney, Ian (Makerfield) | Singh, Marsha |
| McDonagh, Siobhain | Skinner, Dennis |
| McDonnell, John | Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E) |
| McFall, John | Smith, Angela (Basildon) |
| McGuire, Mrs Anne | Smith, Miss Geraldine (Morecambe & Lunesdale) |
| McIsaac, Shona | |
| McKenna, Ms Rosemary | Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) |
| McNulty, Tony | Smith, John (Glamorgan) |
| MacShane, Denis | Snape, Peter |
| Mactaggart, Fiona | Soley, Clive |
| McWalter, Tony | Southworth, Ms Helen |
| McWilliam, John | Spellar, John |
| Mahon, Mrs Alice | Squire, Ms Rachel |
| Mallaber, Judy | Starkey, Dr Phyllis |
| Marek, Dr John | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) | Stevenson, George |
| Marshall, David (Shettleston) | Stewart, David (Inverness E) |
| Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) | Stewart, Ian (Eccles) |
| Marshall-Andrews, Robert | Stinchcombe, Paul |
| Martlew, Eric | Stoate, Dr Howard |
| Maxton, John | Stott, Roger |
| Meacher, Rt Hon Michael | Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin |
| Meale, Alan | Straw, Rt Hon Jack |
| Michael, Alun | Stringer, Graham |
| Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) | Stuart, Ms Gisela (Edgbaston) |
| Milburn, Alan | Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Mitchell, Austin | |
| Moffatt, Laura | Taylor, David (NW Leics) |
| Moran, Ms Margaret | Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W) |
| Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N) | Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W) |
| Timms, Stephen | (Swansea W) |
| Tipping, Paddy | Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen) |
| Todd, Mark | Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy) |
| Touhig, Don | Wilson, Brian |
| Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) | Winnick, David |
| Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk) | Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C) |
| Wood, Mike | |
| Twigg, Derek (Halton) | Woolas, Phil |
| Twigg, Stephen (Enfield) | Wray, James |
| Vaz, Keith | Wright, Dr Tony (Cannock) |
| Vis, Dr Rudi | Wright, Tony D (Gt Yarmouth) |
| Watts, David | Wyatt, Derek |
| White, Brian | |
| Whitehead, Dr Alan | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Wicks, Malcolm | Mr. Graham Allen and |
| Williams, Rt Hon Alan | Mr. Greg Pope. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.