HC Deb 08 July 1997 vol 297 cc775-80

'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 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. Raynsford

The 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.

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. Sanders

I 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.

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.

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