HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 cc280-1W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what information he has as to which areas and buildings in recently revitalised inner-city areas remain inaccessible for people in wheelchairs, following redevelopments;

(2) whether he will set up a consultative body to monitor the extent to which the access needs of disabled people are being met in the revitalisation of the inner cities; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what consultations he has had with national and local disability organisations on the subject of disabled people's access needs in the revitalisation of the inner cities;

(4) what consultations he has had with the Access Committee for England, the Centre for the Environment for the Handicapped, and Business in the Community on the subject of disabled people's access needs in the revitalisation of the inner cities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

We have had no consultations on these lines, but seek to ensure that the representations we have received from RADAR, and any others we may receive, are appropriately reflected in the development or redevelopment of the inner cities.

I am not convinced that further formal consultation machinery would contribute materially to this aim, or that it would be practicable to gather systematic information about the accessibility of buildings in inner-city areas. I would, however, expect city action teams and inner-city task forces to give positive consideration to the needs of the disabled people in their work, and of course to conform to the provisions on access for disabled people contained in building regulations. Equally, I hope that organisations of and for disabled people, and in particular local access groups, will ensure that their views and suggestions are made known to the teams and task forces.