GUIDE DOG ACCESS TO MINICABS

Early day motion 1066, tabled 23 October 2000 by Neil Gerrard (Labour). Signed by 116 members.

That this House recognises the work of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in drawing attention to the difficulties faced by guide dog owners when taxi and minicab drivers refuse to carry a guide dog; welcomes the proposals for implementing section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which will place a duty on licensed taxi drivers to carry guide dogs without charge; notes that this will still leave guide dog owners who have to rely on minicabs open to discrimination; and urges the Government to encourage local authorities when licensing minicabs in their areas to include within their licensing laws a requirement that guide dogs should be carried free of charge unless the driver has a proven medical condition which would preclude such action, and in London to include such a requirement when implementing the Private Hire Vehicle (London) Act 1998.

Signatures by party: Labour 84, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 9, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1, Unknown 1.