HC Deb 04 February 1986 vol 91 cc127-8
1. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the education of deaf-blind children; and what has been his response.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)

Representations have been received only from the National Deaf-Blind and Rubella Association, which is now called SENSE. A meeting is being arranged with SENSE at official level to discuss educational provision for deaf-blind children.

Mr. Ashley

Is the Minister aware that children who are deaf and blind suffer from a unique disability which is different from either deafness or blindness, yet his Department makes no provision for them, providing teachers only for deafness or blindness? There is no mention of the deaf-blind in the Education Act 1944. Is he further aware that the devastating consequence of that omission is that more than half our deaf-blind children live in a complete vacuum with no contact with humanity? Is it possible for him to do something about training teachers for deaf-blind children?

Mr. Dunn

As the right hon. Gentleman said, at present there are no training courses specifically for teachers of deaf-blind children, although the future training needs of such teachers are currently under consideration. Like the right hon. Gentleman, I await with a great deal of interest the outcome of the meeting to be held on 14 February with officials of the Department and representatives of SENSE.

Mr. Freud

Is there not a good case for reviewing the procedure whereby deaf people with communication ability may qualify as teachers? Will the Minister tell the House what progress has been made in replacing circular 11/78?

Mr. Dunn

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that question. I shall write to him and let him have my views in due course.

Mr. Greenway

Bearing in mind the enormous cost of educating deaf-blind children, and the wonderful effort made by the SENSE family centre for deaf-blind children in my constituency, where the Princess of Wales has helped enormously to raise funds for the centre, will my hon. Friend tell the House what financial commitment his Department is making to this especially important area of children's education?

Mr. Dunn

As my hon. Friend will know, appropriate arrangements for the education of deaf-blind children are a matter for the local education authority in the first instance. However, I undertake to bear his point in mind.

Mr. Alfred Morris

My right hon. Friend's questions are about the urgent claims of some of the most severely disabled children in this country. What are the Minister's reasons for having refused to institute a special training course for teachers of those children? Is he aware that our only qualified teachers of the deaf-blind were trained in the United States and Holland? Finally, is it not wholly shameful that because there is no appropriate education for them, many deaf-blind children are consigned to mental-handicap hospitals?

Mr. Dunn

I acknowledge the force of the right hon. Gentleman's question. As I pointed out, the future training needs of those who will teach the deaf-blind are at present under consideration.