Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 November 1999. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to allow the Countryside Agency to make grants from the Rural Transport Development Fund to enable private hire vehicles to comply with the legislation relating to disability discrimination; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Answer: Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow the Countryside Agency to make grants from the Rural Transport Development Fund to enable private hire vehicles to comply with the legislation relating to disability discrimination; and if he will make a statement. [98363] Mr. Hill: Private hire vehicles are not required to comply with any of the relevant provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Rural Transport Development Fund makes grants in respect of a wide range of transport projects including contributions towards the cost of adaptation of vehicles or purchase of accessible vehicles in rural areas. Applications are considered on their merits.

Secondary information