HC Deb 12 November 1991 vol 198 c460W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has any plans to amend the Domestic Property (Valuation) Regulations 1991 to enable a garage or carport to be disregarded if it is required for meeting the needs of the disabled occupant;

(2) if he has any plans to amend the Domestic Property (Valuation) Regulations 1991 to enable an additional room to be disregarded if it is predominantly used by or required for meeting the needs of the disabled occupant.

Mr. Portillo

We are discussing with organisations representing disabled people their representations that other rooms and features should be disregarded within the valuation arrangements.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has any plans to amend the Domestic Property (Valuation) Regulations 1991 to enable the extra space within a property which is required by a wheelchair user to be disregarded.

Mr. Portillo

Under the regulations extra space required by a wheelchair user may be disregarded if it is a feature of a specially adapted additional bathroom, kitchen or lavatory. We are discussing with organisations representing disabled people their representations that other rooms and features should be disregarded within the valuation arrangements.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations his Department has received from organisations of and for disabled people with regard to the Domestic Property (Valuation) Regulations 1991.

Mr. Portillo

We have received representations about these regulations from the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), the Association of Disabled Professionals, and the Disablement Income Group.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it remains his policy to restore the benefits of the Rating (Disabled Persons) Act 1978.

Mr. Portillo

Our policy was stated in the consultation paper, "A New Tax for Local Government". It is that necessary adaptions to the homes of disabled people should be disregarded in assessing the band into which the property should fall for the purposes of the council tax.