asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the names of each local authority which employs interpreters for the deaf; the numbers of interpreters employed by each local authority, the names of each voluntary body employing interpreters for the deaf and the number of interpreters employed by each voluntary body.

I am not aware of any local authority which employs staff solely to act as interpreters for deaf people. As part of their wider responsibilities, however, nearly all social services departments are able to provide an interpretation service, either directly or through an agency.Information about the numbers of interpreters employed by voluntary bodies is not collected by my Department, but if my hon. Friend has any particular problem in mind I shall be glad to have it looked into urgently.