HC Deb 19 June 1995 vol 262 cc5-6W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how the number of car parking spaces that are available at Great Minster house and the Horseferry road will affect the representation of disabled people's view points by people who are themselves disabled at meetings of(a) the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and (b) the joint committee on mobility for disabled people; [28105]

(2) how many car parking spaces the city of Westminster will make available on Horseferry road for disabled orange badge holders visiting Great Minster house; [28104]

(3) how many car parking spaces are available at Great Minster house (a) for disabled employees and (b) disabled visitors. [28100]

Mr. Norris

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee is the statutory adviser to the Department of Transport on matters affecting the transport of disabled people. The needs of that committee will continue to be met when the Department moves to Great Minster house. The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation was commissioned to carry out an access audit of the new building to ensure that it will meet the needs of disabled staff and visitors, including members of the DPTAC.

The joint committee on mobility for disabled people is a non-statutory body whose meetings the Department has accommodated on an informal basis for a number of years. However, the parking requirements for that committee far exceed the capacity at Great Minster house and we have regrettably had to tell the organisers that we will be unable to continue the arrangements beyond the end of July 1995. Officials will, however, continue to attend meetings of the JCMD at their new venue and to work closely with them.

Of the 21 parking spaces at Great Minster, seven will be reserved for disabled people whether staff or visitors.

Westminster City council has also agreed to make two bays available for orange badge holders in Horseferry road outside Great Minster House.

The needs of disabled staff and visitors will continue to be assessed once the new building is operational.