Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Rosie Cooper (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 13 June 2005 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Disability Discrimination Act

Question: In my constituency of West Lancashire, in the past 12 months, the council has gone into partnership with Serco to provide leisure facilities. The partnership was predicated on the promise to modernise both services and equipment. Unfortunately, in the Skelmersdale area, for example in the Nye Bevan pool, the works did not include making facilities such as changing rooms suitable for use by disabled people. That has led to constituents in the Skelmersdale area feeling left out and excluded. Simple inexpensive work such as putting an induction loop in the reception area was not done either. Can my right hon. Friend remind organisations and local authorities of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, so that any improvements, no matter how small, are undertaken with the needs of disabled residents and their responsibilities under that Act in mind?

Answer: I can readily understand that my hon. Friend, as a former director of the Merseyside centre for deaf people, has a great deal of passion for this subject, which is probably why she took a little longer with her question. Yes, I will write to local authorities, which must take opportunities to ensure that there is such investment in facilities for disabled people. I will write to local authorities, not just to those in Skelmersdale, to remind them of their obligations under the 1995 Act.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 435 c2-3
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Disability Discrimination Act
Monday, 21 November 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Disability Leisure Facilities Local government Tourism
Legislation: Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk