§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what adjustments have been made to her Department's premises following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and what the cost of these adjustments was as a proportion of the Department's budget. [53028]
§ Maria Eagle[holding answer 29 April 2002]: Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 adjustments carried out to premises occupied by this department include installation of door bells, installation of induction loops, installation of some signage, marking 81W of disabled parking bays, adjustments to counters, reconfiguration of public waiting areas to accommodate wheelchair access, improvements to external lighting and installation of access ramps.
These works have been carried out as part of a planned programme to ensure that all buildings occupied under the PRIME contract comply with the requirements of DDA in advance of 2004. Under the terms of the PRIME PFI agreement, the costs of these adjustments are the responsibility of our private sector partner, Land Securities Trillium.
For those buildings in the DWP estate not covered by the PRIME contract it has been recommended that work to ensure DDA compliance should be incorporated into existing and future refurbishment plans. Also, the department will require that all new property acquisitions are fully compliant with the Act.
The costs of adjustments carried out solely in relation to the introduction of DDA are not recorded separately. The information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.