That this House recognises the importance of enabling all disabled children to move around independently and enjoy freedom to enable them to live full and active lives with their families and friends; notes that there are over 70,000 children who require vital mobility equipment which meets their clinical, social and developmental needs; is concerned that many children are forced to wait over a year or are simply unable to access appropriate mobility equipment and as a result risk developmental delay; further notes that in the long term, independent mobility enables young people to develop the skills and confidence they need to play a full role in society and become tax paying citizens; applauds the work of the national charity Whizz-Kidz as the leading provider of paediatric wheelchairs and mobility equipment outside the NHS; and supports their work in raising awareness of the needs of disabled children across the UK, promoting independent mobility to enable those children to experience the everyday things that many able-bodied children take for granted.

That this House recognises the importance of enabling all disabled children to move around independently and enjoy freedom to enable them to live full and active lives with their families and friends; notes that there are over 70,000 children who require vital mobility equipment which meets their clinical, social and...

That this House welcomes the joint report by Whizz-Kidz and Barnardos on the current state of wheelchair provision to children; is concerned that many of the 70,000 UK children who require wheelchairs are not given essential mobility equipment that meets their needs; recognises that this has a dramatic impact on their families and a negative effect on their childhood and future life chances; and urges the Government to give greater priority within current budgeted departmental spending to ensuring that all disabled children have access to appropriate wheelchairs.

That this House welcomes the joint report by Whizz-Kidz and Barnardos on the current state of wheelchair provision to children; is concerned that many of the 70,000 UK children who require wheelchairs are not given essential mobility equipment that meets their needs; recognises that this has a dramatic impact on...

That this House congratulates Whizz-Kids on its campaign to raise awareness of the importance of independent mobility for disabled children; recognises that independent mobility allows children with mobility impairments to `keep up with childhood', acquire social, academic and development skills and improve their life chances; notes that there are over 70,000 children in the UK for whom the provision of the right wheelchair could make a critical difference; and calls on the Government to ensure that these children have access to the mobility equipment they need, when they need it.

That this House congratulates Whizz-Kids on its campaign to raise awareness of the importance of independent mobility for disabled children; recognises that independent mobility allows children with mobility impairments to `keep up with childhood', acquire social, academic and development skills and improve their life chances; notes that there are over...

That this House recognises the chronic shortage of housing suitable for people who are wheelchair users; notes with concern the research published by John Grooms indicating a countrywide shortfall of 300,000 wheelchair accessible houses; believes that all new housing should be built for equality not inaccessibility; regrets that the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 did not tackle this issue; further notes that barrier-free housing remains an `unfinished puzzle'; recognises that a disabled person finding a suitable house is like winning the prize in a lucky dip; welcomes the target within the London Plan that 10 per cent. of all new housing should be either fully wheelchair accessible or easily adapted; and calls on the Government to require all regional housing boards to introduce a similiar 10 per cent. target into their future housing strategies.

That this House recognises the chronic shortage of housing suitable for people who are wheelchair users; notes with concern the research published by John Grooms indicating a countrywide shortfall of 300,000 wheelchair accessible houses; believes that all new housing should be built for equality not inaccessibility; regrets that the Disability...

That this House welcomes the court ruling that Ryanair acted unlawfully by not ensuring that a wheelchair was provided free of charge for Mr Bob Ross to use at Stansted Airport; notes that the court awarded Mr Ross ??1,336 in compensation; is concerned at Ryanair's decision to add a 50 pence surcharge to the price of every seat to meet the so-called cost of wheelchair provision, which will raise an extra ??12 million for the company; supports the Disability Rights Commission condemnation of this inflated surcharge, which the DRC have estimated at actually only costing 2 pence on each fare; notes that Ryanair has failed to compensate 35 other disabled people who have complained also; and urges the Secretary of State for Transport to intervene and encourage Ryanair to review its policy towards disabled people and the costs of wheelchair users.

That this House welcomes the court ruling that Ryanair acted unlawfully by not ensuring that a wheelchair was provided free of charge for Mr Bob Ross to use at Stansted Airport; notes that the court awarded Mr Ross ??1,336 in compensation; is concerned at Ryanair's decision to add a 50...

That this House, mindful that 2003 is European Union Year of the Disabled, notes London is rightly proud that it is the only city in the world with a fully wheelchair accessible fleet of Hackney carriages (taxis); further notes that the vehicles built by Coventry-based purpose-built taxi manufacturers, London Taxis International, and Tamworth-based Metrocab, strive to offer access for all with features fitted as standard, such as an integral fold-out wheelchair ramp, a step and swivel seat for the semi-ambulant, induction loops for the hard of hearing, colour contrasted grab handles and puddle lights to aid the partially sighted, light touch door handles and thick grab handles for the arthritic and a child seat built into the arm rest for parents; also notes the indispensable 25 foot turning, used on average four times an hour by drivers in London's narrow streets, ensures a safe pick and drop off for all; further notes that swing doors are easier and safer than sliding doors for passengers to use and that side loading of wheelchairs is safer and more dignified than rear loading used in some converted van taxis licensed outside London; and believes that with congestion charging coming into force from 17th February and Transport for London licensing private hire for the first time, the public's ability to be able instantly to recognise a wheelchair accessible taxi is more important than ever.

That this House, mindful that 2003 is European Union Year of the Disabled, notes London is rightly proud that it is the only city in the world with a fully wheelchair accessible fleet of Hackney carriages (taxis); further notes that the vehicles built by Coventry-based purpose-built taxi manufacturers, London Taxis...