§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18582]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 5 April 1995]: The Employment Department group is committed to estates and accommodation policies which seek to ensure that access and facilities are suitable for disabled people, whether staff or the public. These policies will be adapted to take account of the Cabinet Office Programme for Action for Disabled People and in future to embody the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Bill in all estates provision and accommodation facilities. In many cases, existing buildings and offices have been modified to provide or improve access for disabled people, both staff and the public. New buildings and refurbishment projects take the need for this provision into account from their beginning. Some 3.9 per cent. of the employees of the Employment Department group are registered disabled people, compared with the quota of 3 per cent.