34. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Health if he will direct local authorities to provide vocational training and welfare services for the deaf, seeing that he has already directed them to provide such services for the blind.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have recently asked the relatively few local authorities without welfare schemes for the deaf to give fresh consideration to their adoption and I hope they will do so without any direction. Vocational training is available to disabled persons—including deaf persons—under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944.
Mr. DugdaleWhile I welcome that Answer in so far as the Minister has 16 taken action to help the deaf, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why it is necessary to direct local authorities in the case of the blind and not in the case of the deaf?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe direction in the case of the blind was only, in effect, a direction for continuance, because welfare services for the blind were already being provided by all authorities at the appointed day in 1948.
§ Mr. HastingsHow many local authorities have already provided schemes for training the deaf?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithOne hundred and sixteen out of the total of 146 authorities have adopted welfare schemes for the deaf and further schemes for submission are under consideration.
§ Mr. HastingsAre they training schemes?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo; these are the welfare schemes. The training is a matter for the Ministry of Labour, although, of course, there is co-ordination in respect of these two activities.