asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to increase public awareness about the needs of children who are born both deaf and blind.

As I informed my hon. Friend in my reply on 14th February,—[Vol. 926, c. 39—41.]—I am maintaining close contact with the National Association for Deaf, Blind and Rubella Handicapped, the Deaf-Blind Helpers' League, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and the Royal National Institute for the Blind. I entirely share my hon. Friend's view of the importance of increasing public awareness of the needs of deaf-blind children and am pleased to acknowledge the efforts of these four organisations to that end.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many letters he has received since 1st January on, respectively, invalid tricycles and the needs of children who are born both deaf and blind.

I have received approximately 600 letters about invalid tricycles and approximately five about the needs of deaf-blind children.