§ Ms Colquhounasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) in view of the under-employment of the deaf, particularly school leavers, if he will appoint a specific officer for the deaf in his Department to co-ordinate all those involved with deaf people;
(2) if he will issue guidance to employers and consider what efforts can be made to educate the public about the problems and potentialities of the deaf.
§ Mr. John GrantWhile the careers service operated by local education authorities is particularly responsible for handicapped school leavers, the employment problems of disabled people in general, including those who are deaf, are the concern of the disablement resettlement service of the Employment Service Agency. It is one of the disablement resettlement officer's chief tasks to educate the public, including employers, about the needs of all disabled people and a leaflet "Employing someone who is deaf or hard of hearing" has been produced to assist in this. A copy is being sent to my hon. Friend.
There is full co-operation at all levels between the careers service and the Employment Service Agency in assisting deaf people, and I do not intend to appoint a specific officer for this function.