HC Deb 10 July 1973 vol 859 c319W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers of the deaf in England and Wales are themselves deaf people; what action she is taking to increase the number of such appointments; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Exact information is not available, but there are believed to be very few profoundly deaf teachers. There is no bar to the appointment of deaf people as teachers of the deaf provided that they are accepted for teacher training and can obtain the required qualifications. Their handicap, however, clearly makes it difficult for them to attain the necessary standard of communication.