§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the amount of grant in respect of access for disabled people to polling stations; and if he will make a statement. [19228]
§ Mr. SackvilleWe encourage acting returning officers to apply to the Home Office for grants towards the cost of providing temporary ramps, where they cannot use as polling places buildings which afford easy access for the disabled. Grants are also available for specially adapted14W polling screens for use by the disabled. Funds for grants of this kind are not capped. Total expenditure on such grants since the last general election now stands at £175,400 compared with £17,948 at the 1992 general election.