Equality Act 2010: Wheelchair Users

Debate between Baroness Kramer and Lord Tebbit

Tuesday 17th March 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Kramer]

My Lords, we have commenced the relevant sections 168 to 171 of the Equality Act, which cover assistance guide dogs.

[Lord Tebbit (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Lord is absolutely right—there is a great deal of difficulty for those who use assistance dogs. These difficulties arise in taxis, attempting to get into taxis and people being ignored because they have got a dog, in hotels, restaurants and other places. Does my noble friend agree that something needs to be done—I would be grateful if my noble friend would do it—to enforce the law to ensure that people with assistance dogs are not discriminated against?

[Baroness Kramer]

My Lords, I cannot give the general national numbers but Transport for London has brought something like 28 prosecutions in relation to guide dogs and taxis and has succeeded in at least 20 of those cases. Action is being taken but, as I say, broader issues need to be captured.