§ Mr. Gristasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons registered with his Department under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAt 31st March 1975 the number of people registered with local authority social services departments as deaf, with and without speech, and as hard of hearing in England was 25,600 and 20,400 respectively. I am informed that comparable figures for Wales were 1,300 and 900. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that registration is voluntary and that the figures represent only a proportion of those with hearing impairment.