§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to discover in how many special schools, or units for deaf children, the use of sign language is (a) forbidden, (b) permitted and (c) encouraged; whether he attaches importance to the use of sign language for deaf children; if it is Government policy to approve or disapprove of its use as an instrument of education for deaf children; and if he will now make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonNo. The methods of communication employed in teaching deaf children are a matter for decision by local education authorities in conjunction with
Location June 1979 June 1980 December 1980 Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time Board HQ 135 2 92 Nil 102 Nil Elsewhere 167 159 165 175 179 175 Total 302 161 257 175 281 175 Note: Clerical staff means staff in salary grades C1, C2 and C3 of the national joint council for local authorities' administrative, professional, technical and clerical services.