§ 8. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will hold an interdepartmental inquiry into the categories of persons requiring transistorised amplified telephones other than those suffering from deafness and the extent of existing distribution of such telephones; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. Although the Post Office does not keep detailed records it estimates that the majority of amplifying hand sets are used by the hard of hearing. The remainder are used mainly in areas where the surrounding high noise level makes hearing difficult, for example, factories and airports.
§ Mr. PavittWhat other steps can the right hon. Gentleman take—we know that he has sympathy in this matter—to persuade the Post Office not to seize on the excuse of a small number of not partially deaf people to charge deaf people an additional amount which 1115 people with ordinary hearing do not have to pay? Why should this section of the disabled be the only section of disablement to pay an extra charge for deafness—a charge that is not paid by ordinary people?
§ Sir J. EdenIt is because of what have already tried to point out, namely, that other users can benefit from the introduction of the amplified sets. The hon. Member knows that local authorities and my right hon. Friend the Secretray of State for Social Services have substantial powers to help in particular cases of need. When the hon. Gentleman last raised this question, he implied that it was the last Labour Government who reduced the charge by 33⅓ per cent. In fact, it took place in July 1964, under the previous Conservative Government.