§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions are in place or are proposed to require porters at railway stations to assist(a) passengers who have disabilities and (b) those passengers who have children in their charge while at the same time carrying luggage.
§ Mr. WattsThe provision of porters at stations is a matter for British Rail. I understand that British Rail tries to ensure that stations are staffed according to the expected demand.
The Rail Regulator has a statutory duty to have regard to the interests of persons who are disabled. He requires all station operators to produce and comply with a disabled people's protection policy as a condition of being granted a licence to operate.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to prohibit the charge made at mainline stations for the use of toilet facilities by passengers or to include the cost of toilet facilities in the cost of a train ticket; and what assessment he has made of the arrangements made for charging for toilet facilities by food outlets at stations.