§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he plans to seek to remove the word "dumb" from section 29(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948.
§ Mr. MajorThe term "dumb" is no longer acceptable and is not used by the professions dealing with people with communcation handicaps. If a suitable legislative opportunity arose, we would consider amending section 29(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948 accordingly, although we can give no undertaking as to when that might be.