§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects to have the results of the consultations between her Department and the Departments of Education and Science and Employment with a view to a comprehensive service to the deaf following the answer given to the hon. Member for Bolton, West by the then Prime Minister on 1st March 1973.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThere are ongoing interdepartmental discussions at all levels on ways of improving the pattern and standard of services for the deaf: no formal reports are produced but action is taken as opportunity offers. Consultations on services for children will continue in parallel with the work of the committee studying the educational needs of handicapped children and health services for children.
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the reorganisation of the health service has had upon the screening of children of pre-school age for hearing ability; whether she is satisfied with the present efficiency of this work; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenReorganisation of the health service should not affect the arrangements for the hearing of young children to be tested at intervals during their pre-school years, but no information is available about the numbers of children so tested or the number of tests carried out. The committee, under the chairmanship of Professor Court, which is reviewing the child health services will be considering the arrangements made for screening of all types of defect, including hearing loss.