HC Deb 10 June 1981 vol 6 cc127-8W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now reinstate the post of social work service officer with responsibility for services for the hearing-impaired; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rossi

I refer the hon. Member to reply to the hon. Member for Goole (Dr. Marshall) on 23 February.—[Vol. 999, c.302.]

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now re-establish the advisory committee on services for hearing-impaired people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rossi

The decision to wind up the advisory committee on services for hearing-impaired people was taken following the Government's review of all non-departmental public bodies. ACSHIP continued in existence until October 1980 when it received the final report of its sub-committee which had been considering services for hearing-impaired children.

Partly as a result of the valuable contribution made by ACSHIP, we know broadly the further developments needed to maintain improvements, as and when resources permit, in services for hearing impaired people. We, therefore, have no plans to re-establish it.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific expertise and knowledge of hearing-impaired people is available to local social workers from his Department's headquarters and regional offices.

Mr. Rossi

Social workers employed by local authorities or by voluntary agencies seeking expect advice about hearing-impaired people have, in addition to that available through their own authority or agency, access to a range of professional expertise and knowledge in the Department's headquarters and regional offices, including medical, nursing, social work and technical staff.