§ Sir Alan GlynTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of whether a person is suffering from severe deafness should be permitted to work near dangerous machinery or water.
§ Mr. NichollsThe fitness for work of people with disabilities such as severe deafness can be assessed only on an individual basis, taking into account all the circumstances of the proposed employment. This assessment is the responsibility of the employer, seeking appropriate advice as necessary. It is possible to devise systems of work that would enable deaf people to work safely near machinery or water.