§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking on the reports so far received from the Advisory Committee on Services for Hearing Impaired People.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI have now received these reports from my advisory committee: on the rehabilitation of hearing-impaired adults; on the function of the graduate scientist in audiology and on services for hearing-impaired children. I should like to pay tribute to the valuable work carried out by members of the committee. The reports contain a number of far-reaching recommendations for improving services for people handicapped by a hearing loss. I am consulting a wide range of organisations on the proposals and, subject to comments received, I am prepared to make limited funds available to health authorities over three years to help meet the initial cost of posts for hearing therapists, who will perform the central functions set out in the report on rehabilitation.