§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received(a) from disabled people and (b) organisations concerned with the welfare of disabled people, in regard to the preservation or enhancement of provision of rail services, access to rail services and cost of rail services for disabled people; and what response he has made.
§ Mr. FreemanI receive representations on these matters from time to time both from disabled people and groups which represent them.
The BR board has had a policy commitment for a number of years to improve access and facilities for disabled passengers whenever possible. It has an advisory group on disability which is consulted in advance of major decisions on either station development or rolling stock design.
I know that BR provides discounts for disabled passengers, but the detail of such discounts is for BR to decide.
For the future, our privatisation proposals envisage a duty on the rail regulator to take into account the interests 565W of persons with disabilities, which would be reflected in obligations imposed on railway operators through the regulator's licensing regime.