I recently learned that the Welfare Reform Bill – which is currently being debated in the House of Lords – was having the debate moved to a smaller not so disabled accessible committee room.
Concerned about this I e-mailed the members of the House of Lords (some of whom are themselves disabled) – about getting the debate back in the House of Lords where disabled Lords and disabled members of the public would have access to debating or viewing the proceedings.
Thinking on – it occurred to me that surely the minister for disabled people (Maria Miller mp) would be concerned that disabled people were not being able to access a bill that affects them substantially and directly and also surely it is her job to ensure disabled access – no matter what the bill.
Thus I e-mailed Maria Miller at maria.miller.mp@parliament.uk with this
‘Dear Ms Miller
As minister for disabled I would like for you to ensure that the debate concerning the welfare reform bill remains accessible to the disabled many of whom will be hugely affected by the changes suggested within it.
Please read this blog.
https://thebrokenofbritain.blogspot.com/2011/09/urgent-appeal-for-action-now.html
As a representative of the disabled community I am sure you would want us to have equal access – thank you for your help with this.
Kind Regards’
the reply I received was
‘Maria Miller MP
Basingstoke
Thank you for your email, if you live within the parliamentary constituency of Basingstoke please make sure your message contains
Full name
Address, including Postcode
Day time telephone number
If you are contacting me in my capacity as Minister for Disabled People please resend your email to
and then later