§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements his Department has made to liaise with VOCAL, Voluntary Organisations, Communication and Language, in its work to advance the interests of people with speech problems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonVOCAL brings together a number of voluntary bodies with an interest in people who suffer from speech disorders. It aims to advance the education both of persons who suffer from speech and language disorders and of the public about the incidence and effect of such disorders; it also hopes to promote and undertake research into their incidence.
The Department has made VOCAL a three-year grant of £20,000 a year, starting last year, to enable it to establish a permanent base, to include the appointment of a full-time director with secretarial support, and thus facilitate the development of fund raising activities. Officials continue to maintain formal and informal links with VOCAL.