§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking in respect of the recommendation of the Disability Rights Task Force in "From Exclusion to Inclusion" that600W his Department should establish a statutory group on improving access to the built environment for disabled people. [128695]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI accept the thinking behind the Task Force's recommendation. I have therefore asked the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) to establish a working group to advise Government on improving access to the built environment for disabled people. DPTAC has agreed to do so. This new role for the Committee will be in addition to its statutory functions in respect of the transport needs of disabled people. There will be no immediate amendment to those statutory functions.
Easy access to buildings—and facilities within buildings—are basic civil rights which are sometimes denied to people with disabilities. I will be looking to the new group to tell me how Government and industry can make improvements in this area.