§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many qualified lip-reading teachers are now employed in the London teaching hospitals; how many 270W in the hospitals within the North-West Metropolitan Hospital Board area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe total number of Teachers of the Deaf employed in London teaching hospitals is equivalent to 6.8 whole-time staff; virtually all are in hospitals within the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital area. None is employed in non-teaching hospitals in the area, but larger numbers are, of course, employed by local education authorities. I am aware of the need to improve lip-reading services for deaf adults and my Department is in touch with the Department of Education and Science about the problem.