asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer of 2 July, Official Report, column 130, when he intends to bring to the attention of health authorities the Government's view that it is a desirable objective to ensure that all telephones, including patients' trolley telephones, in National Health Service hospitals can be used by people who wear hearing aids.

Our view will be brought to the attention of regional works officers at their next regular meeting with the Department in November.