Restricted Byways (Application and Consequential Amendment of Provisions) Regulations 2006

My Lords, I thank the Minister for bringing these regulations before us. I have to say I smiled when I saw what was on the Statutory Instrument, and thought ““Yes, come next Monday, we will actually be at that part of the Bill, dealing with this very issue””. She is quite right; my understanding is that this is a technical draft Statutory Instrument. Part 1 alters and amends 14 Acts; Part 2, 12 pieces of subordinate legislation. They will then come into force once the NERC Bill is enacted. I understand that the Minister, Jim Knight, has signed this to the effect that the provisions are compatible with the Convention on Human Rights, so I accept that, and I also accept that they are complementary and essential if we are going to push ahead with the changes we are dealing with. My one question concerns the fact that disability is not mentioned in this at all. I want to make sure when we are dealing with the Bill on Monday that people who have disabled needs will still be able to have access, and will not find themselves on the wrong side of the law.