§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure access for disabled people to leisure facilities controlled or financed by his Department; whether his Department has any plans to encourage other bodies involved in providing or financing similar facilities to improve such access; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many disabled people are involved in the planning and development by his Department of recreation and leisure facilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy Department does not directly control or finance any leisure or recreation facilities, nor is it directly involved in the planning and development of such facilities.
During the International Year of Disabled People 1981, the Sports Council ran a series of award schemes designed to increase awareness of the need to improve access for disabled people to recreation-leisure facilities. I am sure that all of those involved in the design and provision of such facilities will continue to give a high priority to the needs of the disabled.