§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to extend the provision of Government assistance to those whose inability to read 199W is due to ocular deficiency to those who suffer from the same incapacity due to other disablements.
§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will extend the concessions available to blind people which enable them to utilise the Talking Book Service to other people who are unable to read because of other forms of disability.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAids and equipment which assist disabled people to read books, like mechanical page turners, may be provided by the local authority concerned under the provisions of Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Moreover, aids to reading needed for employment or educational purposes may be provided either by the Employment Services Agency or the local education authority as appropriate. The Government do not themselves contribute towards the cost of the Talking Book Service; there is, however, the long-standing postal concession for blind people. Regrettably the economic situation precludes consideration of the extension of this concession at the present time.