Written question asked by Peter Bottomley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 February 2002. It was answered by Derek Conway (Conservative) on Monday, 4 February 2002 on behalf of the Accommodation and Works Committee.

Accommodation and Works Select Committee

Question: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, if he will assess the accessibility for persons in wheelchairs of positions for advisers to ministers in (a) committee rooms and (b) the Chamber.

Answer: Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will assess the accessibility for persons in wheelchairs of positions for advisers to Ministers in (a) committee rooms and (b) the Chamber. [33361] Derek Conway: All committee rooms, including those in Portcullis House, have wide doors and are accessible to wheelchair users. In most rooms, furniture can be moved to provide space for wheelchairs, although manoeuvrability is limited in committee rooms 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 because of the fixed furniture and fittings. If an adviser using a wheelchair was needed to support a Minister, special arrangements could be made. There are no plans to make the Officials' Box in the Chamber accessible to wheelchair users. If a wheelchair- using adviser was required to support a Minister, he or she would be able to do so from the area adjacent to the Officials' Box. A handrail has been fixed in the Officials' Box to assist people with disabilities.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 33361; 379 c659W;379 c655W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Access Disability House of Commons Special advisers Wheelchairs House of Commons chamber House of Commons committee rooms
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk