ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF READ MY LIPS! CAMPAIGN

That this House congratulates the RoyalNational Institute for the Deaf on its Read my lips! campaign to improve access to lip-reading; notes that there are nine million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK and understands the critical importance of lip-reading classes so these people can retain their dignity and independence in work and socially; further notes with concern that a number of counties have introduced fees for these classes and that this is causing hardship, and sometimes preventing vulnerable people benefiting from lip-reading classes; and therefore asksthe Government to kindly follow-up previous calls for this matter to be investigated and to seek to persuade county councils, such as Essex which is one of the worst offenders, to take a more caring attitude to lip-reading class charges.