§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of research projects into deafness which are given financial assistance from public funds, showing the amounts of money involved.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe main agencies for the support from public funds of clinical research into deafness are the Medical Research Council and the universities. Information on research carried out under the auspices of the Council is published in their annual reports and on that of universities in the annual publication 'Scientific Research in British Universities" by H.M.S.O. Neither of these publications includes cost figures, and costs of specific projects are not readily separable in the records of the establishments.
206WMy own Department is not, at present, financing directly any clinical research into deafness; though an Advisory Group on Audiology and Acoustic Technology has recently been set up, which is considering research requirements. Two projects in the equipment field are currently being supported by my Department—the development of new equipment for use in testing auditory acuity especially in babies, and a feasibility study of requirements for a transposing deaf aid, which alters the frequency and pitch of sound to a level which man be interpreted by the deaf person. Costs in the current year are £4,450 and £2,500 respectively.