New Clause 30 - Access for disabled people
Planning and Compulsory Purchase (Re-committed) Bill
2:30 pm
Mr Matthew Green (Ludlow, Liberal Democrat)
I found the Minister's response disappointing. In dealing with the five amendments rather than the new clause, she once again said, ''Ah, but we're just about to produce some draft regulations or''—in this case—''some draft guidance.'' We had that back in January: every time we tabled amendments, we were told that the issues were about to be dealt with in draft guidance and regulations, and we have had a regular spate of such assurances all over again. It does not help the Committee to be told that such things are about to appear next week. That does not endear the Government to those in opposition—not that they set out to do that.
However, I am more concerned with new clause 30, which I am tempted to push to a Division. Four years ago, the Government's own disability rights taskforce recommended:
''The Government should consider the future roles of Section 76 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which requires planning authorities to alert developers to disability access requirements, when a suitable legislative opportunity arises. Developers should be alerted to disability access legislation at the earliest opportunity in the planning process''.
The Government's response in ''Towards Inclusion'' in 2001, after another two years had elapsed, was:
''We agree with the Task Force and will review Section 76 when a suitable opportunity arises''.
In 2001, the Labour manifesto committed the Government to implementing basic rights for disabled people and the recommendations of the taskforce to which they had signed up. Time is now running out for the Government to implement their commitment.
Although new clause 30 is not exactly what the Government had in mind, it is pretty much the essence of what they have said they support. The argument that the problem can be dealt with purely through regulation and guidance does not quite cut the mustard, so I am fully minded to push the new clause to a Division.
Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 7.