HC Deb 20 July 1971 vol 821 cc238-9W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of people who are totally deaf, unable to hear without a hearing aid, and with a lesser degree of hearing loss, respectively.

Mr. Alison

The information on which to base satisfactory estimates is not available, but the local surveys we expect to be carried out under Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act should provide useful information about the incidence of hearing impairment.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will request local authorities to pay special attention to those going deaf because of old age and to provide rehabilitation and advice on hearing aids;

(2) if he will advise local authorities on the specialised needs of the deaf and request the Directors of Social Services to make provision in their area social work teams for social workers trained to work with the deaf.

Mr. Alison

Local authorities are aware of the special needs of deaf people, including the elderly deaf, and they are regularly advised and assisted by the professional staff of my Department. They are in particular being encouraged to second qualified social workers for training in work with the deaf.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of social workers are trained in manual communication with the deaf.

Mr. Alison

The precise information is not available, but at 30th September, 1970, about 100 or 3 per cent. (whole-time equivalent) of social workers in England employed by local authorities, or by voluntary agencies providing services on their behalf, held a qualification in work with the deaf.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of local authorities employ social workers trained in manual communication for the deaf.

Mr. Alison

According to the information available to me about a third of the local authorities in England employ social work staff able to communicate manually; the majority of the other authorities provide services for the deaf through the agency of voluntary organisations employing such staff.