§ Sir John Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consider introducing a special officer or 485W section to help secure employment for the deaf as is the case with special placement officers for the blind.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the employment problems of all disabled people, including those who are deaf, are the concern of the Employment Service Agency's specialist disablement resettlement service. In considering any further specialism for one disability category it needs to be borne in mind that the number of clients needing help would be comparatively small, with the consequence that specialist officers would have to cover wide geographical areas. Since the strength of the nationwide resettlement service for disabled people lies in its close knowledge of local employment opportunities, it is felt that it would not be in the interests of disabled people of any disability category to introduce arrangements for further specialisation.