§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current level of access to public buildings with particular reference to(a) post offices, (b) banks and (c) building societies in Wales for the physically disabled. [40539]
§ Mr. HagueI have seen a copy of Disability Wales's recent report "Access to Financial Premises".
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will require all service providers, including post offices, banks and building societies, to make reasonable adjustments to their premises, to the way they go about their business and to provide additional help in order to make it easier for disabled people to use their services. The employment rights and the first of the rights of access to goods, facilities and services come into force on 2 December 1996. The remaining rights of access will be phased in following decisions on the consultation exercise carried out earlier this year.