§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure the hotel industry meets the requirements of disability legislation. [155460]
§ Janet AndersonWe are committed to widening access to tourism opportunities for all, including disabled people. We are encouraging the hotel sector to recognise the importance of meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 not only because it is a legal requirement but also because it makes sound business sense. For example last year my Department organised a Disability Conference, "Towards 2004", where we engaged with our sectors, including tourism, concentrating on the requirements and implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In additional, the English Tourism Council have recently published "Accessible Britain 2000—01" which is an official guide for disabled people to Quality Assured National Accessible Scheme accommodation.
627WWe are also drawing the hotel sector's attention to the wide range of publications produced by the Disability Rights Commission, including information to service providers and owners of small business on the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and showing ways in which they can respond positively to the needs of disabled customers.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of hotels in the United Kingdom have adequate accessibility for the disabled to(a) buildings, (b) restaurants and (c) showers and baths. [155463]
§ Janet AndersonWe do not have this information. However, all businesses which provide a service to the public, including hotels, have a duty placed on them under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Since 1 October 1999 service providers have had to make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled people in the way they provide their services. From 2004 they will also have to make "reasonable adjustments" to the physical feature of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.
City of Westminster £ Nature of funding (examples include:) 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 Estate Action—Lisson Green Estate 6,000,000 2,060,000 1,701,400 2,201,400 4,227,600 Estate Action—Mozart Estate 3,055,000 3,600,000 600,000 485,400 0 Housing Investment Programme (HIP) 10,275,000 7,554,000 8,385,000 25,535,000 17,346,000 Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element)1 1,872,000 2,372,000 3,655,000 17,483,000 2 — Major Repairs Allowance 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 11,580,932 Capital Receipts Initiative 2,039,000 6,618,000 7,176,000 0 0 Total 23,241,000 22,204,000 21,517,400 45,704,800 33,154,532 1 The amount of Basic Credit Approvals (IIR A element) for 2001–02 is not available at this time. 2 Not available. 3Grant introduced from 1 April 2001. With the exception of Estate Action funding, it is for the local authority to decide where, within its boundaries, these resources are invested.
Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea £ Nature of funding (examples include) 1997—98 1998—99 1999—2000 2000—01 2001—02 Housing Investment Programme (HIP) 6,358,000 5,723,000 6,306,000 16,395,000 12,910,000 Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element)1 2,921,000 2,210,000 2,968,000 7,444,000 2 — Major Repairs Allowance 3— 3— 3— 3 — 11,580,932 Capital Receipts Initiative 1,095,000 3,119,400 4,319,000 0 0 Total 10,374,000 11,052,000 13,593,000 23,839,000 24,490,932 1 The amount of Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element) for 2001–02 is not available at this time. 2 Not available. 3 Grant introduced from 1 April 2001. Note:
No current Estate Action Funding
The Royal borough received Round 6 Single Regeneration Budget funding for the "Raising the Dalgarno" scheme. However the allocation is used for community capacity building with other funding elements utilised in the 'bricks and mortar' part of the scheme. For the programmes listed it is for the authority to decide where, within its boundaries, these resources are invested.
628WThe English Tourism Council (ETC) have published "Accessible Britain 2000–01" which is an official guide for disabled people to Quality Assured National Accessible Scheme accommodation. The ETC are currently reviewing the expanding the National Accessibility Standards to ensure that they are in keeping with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.