Question

To ask the hon. Member for Mole Valley representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 15 June 2015 to Question 1510, what advice is given to people using hearing aids in order to hear non-public proceedings in meeting rooms in the building where no loop provision exists; and whether the Commission has discussed that matter with Action on Hearing Loss.

Information about which meeting rooms have an induction loop is available via the self-service room booking service or by contacting the facilities team directly.

Deaf or hard of hearing guidance is available on the Parliamentary Intranet for those who work in Parliament. This includes information about the different kind of interpreters who may be booked to help deaf and hard of hearing people at meetings: British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreters, lip speakers, speech to text reporters (STTRs) and electronic notetakers. These forms of communication may be used in rooms without induction loops. It should be noted that even in rooms where there is an induction loop, some deaf and hard of hearing people need to rely on alternative means of communication. An infra-red driven hearing loop system is available in House of Commons Committee rooms. A video is also available on the Parliament website, in subtitled and signed versions, which informs visitors about the extent of the availability of the system. People with hearing difficulties can use the system by obtaining a personal loop from the reception desk in either the Main Committee Corridor or the first floor of Portcullis House.

The House of Commons has been awarded the Action on Hearing Loss, Louder than Words charter mark, a nationally recognised award that shows people who are deaf or have hearing loss that an organisation offers a fully deaf aware service. The House of Commons continues to work with Action on Hearing Loss to improve our facilities for those who have hearing loss or are deaf.