DISABLED PEOPLE AND BRITISH RAIL (NO 2)

That this House notes that the American with Disabilities Act 1990, which prohibits discrimination against the disabled, would not allow any American private or public rail company to introduce to its rolling stock British Rail's proposed new multi-million pound Class 323 train, as it makes no provision for toilets, ramps or handrails for the disabled; finds it difficult to understand why the Central Transport Consultative Committee has given its approval to a new train which has adequate facilities for the able only; acknowledges that the Government is resistant to the introduction of anti-discriminatory legislation; and concludes that, in the circumstances, British Rail should therefore be required, before the launch of the Class 323, to invite representatives of the national organisations for the disabled to inspect the Class 323 mock up and to submit their written findings to a specially convened meeting of the Central Transport Consultative Committee in order to ensure that all members of the public, both able and disabled, receive an equitable standard of service.