Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on the National Assistance Act 1948 – 19 December 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on the National Assistance Act 1948 on 19th December 1986.

Mr. Kirkwood Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he plans to seek to remove the word “dumb” from section 29(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948.

Mr. Major The term “dumb” is no longer acceptable and is not used by the professions dealing with people with communication handicaps. If a suitable legislative opportunity arose, we would consider amending section 29(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948 accordingly, although we can give no undertaking as to when that might be.