§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities are available at Stansted airport for the assistance and support of(a) disabled and (b) elderly members of the public; what information about such facilities is disseminated, and to whom; and what plans there are to improve assistance to disabled and elderly people at Stansted airport. [121833]
§ Mr. McNultyFacilities and procedures at United Kingdom airports for assisting travellers with special needs should comply with the standards set in my Department's Code of Practice on Access to Air Travel for Disabled People, published in March. I have asked BAA plc to write to my hon. and learned Friend with details of the facilities available at Stansted.
Information on facilities at Stansted can be obtained from the BAA Stansted website, the main airport telephone number and staff on duty at the airport. The Uttlesford District Council Access Group offers advice to travellers through its regular newsletters, and carries out an annual audit of the airport's special needs facilities, in addition to BAA's own internal access audit. I understand that all new facilities at BAA airports are designed in accordance with standards which take into account travellers with special needs.
My Department plans to commence monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice at airports throughout the United Kingdom later this year.