§ Mr. BerryTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make a statement on the progress of his Committee's deliberations on improving access to the Palace of Westminster for disabled people;
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what further progress has been made by his Committee on improving access to the Palace of Westminster for disabled people.
§ Mr. Ray PowellIn response to a resolution of the former Services Committee a report containing recommendations for the improvement of provision in the Palace of208W Westminster for people with disabilities has been submitted to this Committee. Its proposals are being considered in the context of evidence from the Director of Works, a number of organisations representing disabled persons, and English Heritage. The Committee expects to receive further evidence this autumn and to make its conclusions known at the end of the year.
Pending the Committee's final recommendations, approval has been given for a large number of minor and uncontentious improvements to go ahead. A number have already been completed and others have been included in the rolling programme of works. A sum of £250,000 has been set aside for this purpose in the current year.