HC Deb 04 March 1997 vol 291 cc601-2W
Mr. Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Government's proposals of 12 January 1995 to bring house building regulations into line with those for public and commercial buildings in respect of access for disabled people. [17898]

Mr. Robert B. Jones

Given the large number of replies to the consultation, work on analysing them has only just been completed. Further work is being undertaken on the cost of complying with the proposals. The results from this will then be considered by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, along with the analysis of the responses to the consultation, prior to officials making recommendations to Ministers. Given the uncertainty of the timing of the outstanding work, it is difficult to give a firm commitment, but I hope that it will be possible to take a statement in the early summer.

Mr. Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes have been built since the Government's proposals for access for disabled people to new housing were published on 12 January 1995; how many of them are accessible to disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [17897]

Mr. Jones

Estimates of housebuilding for chronically sick and disabled persons are shown in the publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". Figures for January 1995 to September 1996 can be found in the September quarter 1996 part 1 edition. Copies of this publication are in the Library.

Mr. Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations his Department has received from organisations of and for disabled people on access for disabled people to new housing; what replies he has made; what action he is taking in response to the representations; and if he will make a statement. [17899]

Mr. Jones

There have been 64 letters received since the beginning of this year regarding the extension of part M of the building regulations to dwellings. The letters have come from five individuals and 42 disability organisations, some of which have written more than once. Ministers have replied to 31 of the letters, and officials in my Department have responded to the rest on our behalf. All the replies have indicated the progress that has been made with the analysis of the consultation that was issued concerning this matter, and have indicated that further work is in hand examining the costs of implementing the proposals.