§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to consult on amending the building regulations to make provision for access by disabled people to dwellings.
§ The Earl of ArranAt the request of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee has been examining the desirability and practicability of extending access provisions for disabled people to dwellings in England and Wales. The present provisions for disabled people in the building regulations only apply to non-domestic buildings.
We have now received advice from the committee. As announced by my right honourable friend the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People on 6 May, we aim to consult on detailed proposals to apply to new dwellings. When issued for consultation, the proposals will be accompanied by a compliance cost assessment.
The committee is also examining whether the existing provisions for disabled people applying to non-domestic buildings should be improved. Any proposals here will also be subject to consultation in the normal way.