HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 c145W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for making an assessment of the recommendations in the SCOPE report, "Polls Apart 2", with specific reference to(a) increasing the grant to local authorities for providing temporary ramps for polling stations and (b) increasing the grant for low-level accessible polling booths. [10471]

Mr. George Howarth

The Government are considering SCOPE's report, which we welcome. At present, 50 per cent. grants are available towards the cost of purchasing temporary ramps and 80 per cent. grants are available for polling screens adapted for use by electors in wheelchairs. Funds for such grants are not capped and since 1992 a total of £213,000 has been spent towards the provision of temporary ramps. Separate figures are not kept on the purchase of specially adapted polling screens.

We are looking very carefully at the arrangements for future funding for this equipment.