§ 51. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ask his Central Policy Review Staff to examine the co-ordination, quality and quantity of research into loss of hearing at present being undertaken by three separate research councils, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Department of Education and Science and the previous research, now ceased, by the Post Office; and if he will subsequently write to the hon. Member for Willesden West.
§ Mr. AlisonAs the hon. Member knows, the Medical Research Council Sub-Committee on Research on Deafness includes representatives of the three 85W research councils as well as departmental representatives. The Post Office is not represented. The two working parties which are to examine the problems of deafness and to advise on the initiation and development of research have only just commenced their work. Until they have reported to the sub-committee, it would be premature to initiate inquiries by another review body. In response to his request I am also writing to the hon. Member.