HC Deb 20 April 1972 vol 835 cc156-7W
Mr. Money

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average figure for net expenditure by local authorities per deaf person registered under Section 29 of the National Assistance Act.

Sir K. Joseph

Net expenditure in 1970–71 on services provided under section 29 for the deaf and hard of hearing divided by the number of such persons registered was £18.60. The sum divided in this way represents only part of the expenditure by local authorities on services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Moreover since registration is not a condition of the provision of a service it relates to deaf and hard of hearing persons who are not registered as well as to those who are. The average figure quoted cannot therefore be taken as a meaningful measure of expenditure.