§ 38. Captain BERKELEYasked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties of ex-service men deafened by the War; whether he is aware that this disability imposes a handicap upon a man seeking employment fully as great as that suffered by a man who has lost his sight; and whether he can see his way to make a special effort on behalf of these men, similar to that already made on behalf of blinded soldiers, both with regard to training for, and the obtaining of, employment?
§ Major TRYONI am not prepared to admit that the rate of 70 per cent. given under the Royal Warrant for total deafness compares unfavourably with the 100 per cent. rate given far total blindness. The general question of training and employment for ex-service men is one for my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, but I understand that men who were prevented by deafness due to war service from resuming their pre-War occupation, and who applied to that Department, have been trained in some other suitable form of occupation.
§ Captain BERKELEYCan the right hon. Gentleman see his way in the case of unlettered men who find it difficult to learn that the number of lessons should be extended from 24?
§ Major TRYONWithout making any promise, I will consider that question.