§ Mr. GIBBINSasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the position of the large number of deaf and dumb people who are dependent on voluntary agencies for their support, with a view to providing direct State assistance?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe position of the deaf and dumb was exhaustively reviewed in the report of the late Dr. Eichholz which was published in 1932. That report did not recommend any direct State assistance, but advocated certain measures which were commended to local authorities in a Circular issued by my Department in May, 1933. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Circular. The Ministry are continuing to impress on local authorities the importance of giving financial assistance, 1419W where necessary, to those voluntary agencies which are doing valuable work in finding suitable employment for deaf and dumb persons.