HC Deb 24 April 2002 vol 384 cc317-8
3. Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge and Chryston)

If he will make a statement on the progress made in making offices in his Department accessible to people with disabilities.[49345]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mrs. Barbara Roche)

The Cabinet Office has undertaken accessibility audits of its estate. Works arising from those audits have, where possible, been undertaken.

The Cabinet Office also continues to take significant measures to ensure that its buildings comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Mr. Clarke

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Will she share with the House any plans that she and her colleagues have in mind for future improvements in access for people with disabilities? That would influence both the public and private sectors, and—crucially—other Departments as well.

Mrs. Roche

As the House will know, my right hon. Friend is an expert in these matters so he is aware that there is much good practice throughout government and also in the private sector. For example, the Government buildings at 67 Tufton street, 35 Great Smith street and the Cabinet Office all have ramps and lifts to assist access for physically disabled people, as well as induction loops in meeting rooms and reception areas. In other buildings it may be possible to put braille signs in lifts. That is extremely important. Looking beyond that, colour coding can also be helpful in ensuring visibility. It is important to use good practice and we are committed to doing so.

Mr. Tim Collins (Westmorland and Lonsdale)

I congratulate the Minister on what she said about the commitment of her Department. I further congratulate the Government on the creation of the Disability Rights Commission, which is a genuinely constructive way forward.

In the Minister's capacity as a member of a Department with a co-ordinating role across Whitehall, will she have a word with her colleagues in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to see what she can do to increase the access of disabled people to polling stations in all areas—rural and urban? The local government elections will take place next week, so it is important that, however people choose to vote, they should be able to go into a polling station and cast their vote, if that is what they want to do.

Mrs. Roche

Of course, the hon. Gentleman is right. I join him in his tribute to the Disability Rights Commission.

The hon. Gentleman raises an important issue. Whichever party people support, it is right that proper access is provided. I shall certainly ensure that his comments are passed on. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman—who is a fair sort of chap—would agree that the Government have done a great deal on this issue. Obviously, the wider use of postal votes is helpful and some of the pilot schemes for alternative voting arrangements have also been helpful. I shall ensure that his remarks are taken into account.