asked the Secretary of State for Employment what special provision is made for young deaf people seeking apprenticeships whose education problems require them to apply later than the usual age.

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of young deaf people who are at present unemployed.

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that, at 13 April 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 36 young deaf people registered at careers offices as unemployed and registered as disabled. There are no figures available in respect of unregistered young deaf people at present; statistics giving the numbers of unemployed unregistered disabled people by disability groups will be available from April 1979.