HC Deb 29 March 1999 vol 328 cc466-7W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the disability organisations from which his Department regularly seeks views on the development of transport policy. [79056]

Ms Glenda Jackson

In the first instance we are advised by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) which was set up under the Transport Act 1985 to advise the Secretary of State on the transport needs of disabled people. The Act requires that at least half the membership are disabled people; currently over 70 per cent. are disabled.

Officials also attend meetings of the two main umbrella organisations in the field of disability and transport—the Joint Committee on Mobility of Disabled People and the Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People. Those meetings provide an opportunity to report on recent developments and to receive feedback on transport policies.

We also consult a very wide range of other disability organisations as part of public consultation exercises.