§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Members for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) of 28 October,Official Report, column 43, when he expects to publish regulations and guidance under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to access to public transport for disabled people. [5128]
§ Mr. BowisDiscussions are being held with the transport industries and with the disabled persons transport advisory committee on the technical specifications for vehicle accessibility that will form the basis of the regulations.
We plan to publish our proposals for the taxi accessibility regulations early in the new year. Proposals for public service vehicles and for rail vehicles will follow shortly afterwards. There will be informal consultation with groups representing disabled people, industry and other interested parties at that time. This will cover both the content of the specifications and the timetable for implementation.
Once responses to this initial consultation have been taken into account, there will be a further formal period of consultation on the draft regulations.
Copies of all consultation documents will be placed in the Library as soon as they are published.