HC Deb 28 July 1980 vol 989 cc553-4W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his statement to the hon. Member for Manchester, Moss Side (Mr. Morton), on 9 July, that it would not be right to exempt the deafness group from the effects of the Government's campaign to reduce the number of civil servants, what staff changes have been made in his Department affecting the administrative work related to services for deaf people; what is the saving in expenditure; and what consultation he had with the organisations of deaf and hearing-impaired people before the changes were made.

Mr. Patrick

Jenkin: In accordance with the Government's policy of producing a smaller, more streamlined and efficient Civil Service, the number of staff in the DHSS has been reduced, including a senior administrative post in the branch dealing with services for disabled people at a saving of approximately £14,000 a year. Although I am aware that concern has been expressed by some organisations for the deaf and hearing-impaired, I am satisfied that services for the deaf and hearing-impaired and advice to Ministers in this field will not be prejudiced.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultation he had with interested organisations before deciding to wind up the advisory committee on services for hearing-impaired people; what views he was given; and what saving in public expenditure will result from winding-up this important advisory committee.

Mr. Prentice

The decision to wind up the advisory committee on services for hearing-impaired people (ACSHIP) was taken following the Government's review of all non-departmental bodies. Although the review concluded that ACSHIP was one of the bodies which should be discontinued, it was made clear that it would not be wound up until it had completed any business in hand. This means that ACSHIP will continue to function until later this year, when the sub-committee which is currently considering services for hearing-impaired children is expected to present its report.

I am greatly indebted to ACSHIP for its major contribution during the past five or six years to the steady improvement in services for hearing-impaired people. However, we are now in a position where we can see broadly the measures that are needed to maintain this improvement as and when resources permit.

Expenditure on ACSHIP, including departmental staff costs and members' expenses, has varied from year to year. In 1978–79 and 1979–80, the estimated costs were £3,400 and £5,300 respectively.