PROVISION OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND EQUALITY OF ACCESS

Early day motion 570, tabled 21 April 1999 by Julie Morgan (Labour). Signed by 114 members.

That this House notes with concern the continuing decline in the number of public conveniences provided by local authorities; notes that under section 87 of the Public Health Act 1936 local authorities have a discretionary power to provide public toilets but are under no statutory obligation to do so; further notes that vandalism and other forms of anti-social behaviour are restricting public access to many of the facilities still provided by local authorities, and that health and freedom of movement of women is especially liable to be adversely affected by the lack of readily accessible toilet facilities; notes that international research has shown that women require a least twice as many facilities as men to achieve equality of access; and requests Her Majesty's Government to require local authorities to provide an appropriate number of well-maintained public conveniences with attendants, ensuring equality of access for all women and men to appropriate public toilets.

Signatures by party: Labour 86, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 5, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Unknown 1.