Below is the text of Mr Major's written Parliamentary Answer on Blind-
Mrs. Renée Short Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many blind-
(2) what special training is available for teachers and carers, respectively, working with deaf-
(3) what training is available at present for young people who are deaf-
(4) if he will make sufficient resources available to ensure that no blind-
Mr. Major Statistics are not available in the form requested but there is a copy in the Library of the Department's publication "Registered Blind and Partially Sighted Persons at 31 March 1982 (England)." This contains information, by age band, on people registered blind with additional handicap, including hearing impairment, but the figures are regarded as under-
The Department has made it clear in guidance issued to health and local authorities, which are the main statutory providers of services for disabled people, that services for the most vulnerable groups in the community, including sensorily impaired people, should have priority. It is for individual health and local authorities to determine local priorities in the light of their statutory responsibilities and local circumstances. The Department does not routinely collect specific information about resources and facilities provided for particular client groups.
The role of voluntary organisations, such as SENSE, with their family resource centres and training centre for deaf-
Education and teacher training are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.