§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to implement section 6 of the Disabled Persons Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyMy right hon. Friend recently carried out an extensive consultation about the implementation of section 6 of the Disabled Persons Act 1981. There was a substantial body of opinion that the interests of disabled people would be better served by an amendment to the building regulations rather than by the implementation of section 6 of the 1981 Act. Since the consultation he has received strong representation to the same effect from organisations representing disabled people. My Department has therefore issued today a further consultation letter inviting views on a new building regulation to require that new buildings should make provision for the needs of disabled people, and explaining arrangements which would be proposed by my right, hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Wales in relation to educational building projects which are exempt from the building regulations. A copy of the consultation letter, and the draft regulation which accompanies it, has been placed in the Library of both Houses.