§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education when all schools will be fully accessible to disabled children.
§ Mr. ForthIt is impracticable to place a timetable on the Government's commitment to improvements in the accessibility of schools. The Government consider that by far the most effective and affordable way to improve access steadily is to ensure that the needs of disabled people are provided for when buildings are designed or constructed. That is why my Department will shortly be consulting on the upgrading of its constructional standards which will mean that all new schools and extensions would be fully accessible to disabled people. Parental choice will continue to play a fundamental part in the decision as to where children are educated and existing school buildings may be rendered accessible accordingly.