London Local Authorities Bill [Lords]

Mark Tami Excerpts

Wednesday 25th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Philip Davies]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that clarification, but he is not taking into account the evidence that was given to the Communities and Local Government Committee. It is not only people with disabilities who are a major worry in relation to clause 6, but people with buggies or pushchairs and people with a lot of luggage. There may well be other people who will be affected.

[Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab)]

Another important point, besides whether there are turnstiles, is that far too often toilets are closed or left in a bad state by the local authority.

[Philip Davies]

That may well be true. Perhaps local authorities ought to sharpen up their act before they try to pass such legislation. The point is that these toilets will be closed to even more people if we have clause 6. If people have a lot of luggage or a big pushchair and cannot get through the turnstile, they will not be able to get in whether the toilet is open or closed. For some people, these toilets will be closed permanently.