§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce new building regulations or amend existing building regulations, to promote the development of barrier-free housing in terms of(a) new-build and (b) renovated or modernised properties; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend intends to consult on a range of building regulation requirements which could be applied to the design of new dwellings for the benefit of disabled people. We have no plans to apply any such new requirements retrospectively to existing dwellings.
Scottish Homes has announced that it expects recipients of grant funding to adopt a policy of promoting barrier-free standards wherever possible; and the draft housing community care circular issued for comment in February drew attention to the advantages of barrier-free housing.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to encourage public sector landlords to provide disabled people with personal housing plans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is for local housing authorities and Scottish Homes to decide what housing information and advice to provide for applicants.
The draft housing and community care circular issued for comment in February emphasised that community care users, including those with physical disabilities, and their carers, should participate in individual community care assessments covering the range of housing, health and social care services suited to their needs.