§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet received from his Advisory Committee on Services for Hearing-Impaired People its report on services provided by local authorities for deaf and hard of hearing people.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI am pleased to have received the Advisory Committee's report on the rôle of the social services in the care of deaf people of all ages. I have arranged for copies to be sent to all local and health authorities and other interested organisations today. I congratulate the Committee on its valuable and painstaking work in producing a detailed report and warmly appreciate the co-operation given by individual directors of social services to ensure the success of the Committee's survey.
The report illustrates that there are substantial deficiencies in service provision in some parts of the country and makes recommendations about ways in which these can be remedied. The fact that the Committee has identified areas of social need which have not been sufficiently recognised in the past should, I believe, bring about a steady improvement in the position. I shall be seeking to ensure that the Committee's recommendations are put into effect as soon as possible.
My hon. Friend may like to know that I shall be speaking about the report in my opening address to the Triennial Congress of the British Deaf Association on Monday next, 20th June.