§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what contact he has had with the British Railways Board and other public sector organisations about displaying the symbol for the deaf; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI have been in touch with the British Railways Board and several other major undertakings to bring to their notice the outcome of the recent national competition to find a symbol for the deaf. The winning symbol will be considered for international use at the Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf Congress in June. Mean-while I am studying other steps that might be taken to make the symbol more widely known among organisations which offer a service to the public. The purpose of the symbol is to identify information points where staff are prepared to take240W time and trouble to help people with hearing difficulties. It is important therefore, that such staff receive instruction to equip them for that role and I am, deeply grateful to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf for agreeing to make the necessary training facilities available.