§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence is at present available to show how far severely impaired children placed in units for the partially deaf are successfully integrated with normally hearing pupils for social and academic purposes, respectively.
§ Mr. ArmstrongIt is not possible to make any general assessment because of the wide variations between pupils. Much depends on a child's ability to develop 517W speech and language and to learn through auditory methods, as well as on his personality and the amount of parental support. Where these factors are favourable and the staff of the main school show understanding, children with relatively severe hearing handicap can integrate successfuly, both educationally and socially.
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has had with the National College of Teachers of the Deaf with regard to the supply of teachers with special qualifications for teaching the deaf; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe national college has recently been invited to discuss with officials of the Department certain matters relating to in-service training of teachers of the deaf with which it is directly concerned.