§ Ross CranstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library an update on progress made since December 2002 on taking forward responses to new representations made by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on the blue badge scheme. [162586]
§ Mr. McNultyWork is in hand to take forward the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee's recommendations.
Changes need to be made to primary and secondary legislation. further research needs to be carried out and revised guidance issued to local authorities.
Primary Legislation
We have introduced a new clause in the Traffic Management Bill to give enforcement officers a power to inspect blue badges.
We are now looking for a suitable opportunity to remove the reference in law to "Institution" Badges and replace it with the less stigmatising term "organisation" Badges. We are also planning to implement reciprocity agreements with EU and ECMT member states for the recognition of disabled persons' parking badges.
Secondary Legislation
We are already working on these changes, including extending the Scheme to those under two and those with temporary disabilities. We expect to consult on draft regulations later in the year.
Research
We will be embarking on the following research projects in the next few months:
establishing the feasibility of a database of Blue Badge Holders, and looking at the Central London exemption from the Scheme.Should a database prove feasible then we would aim to legislate in that area in due course.
We will also be carrying out research to examine the case for extending the scheme to certain other groups of disabled people. This will include a wide range of people including those with mental health problems, autism and those who are partially-sighted.