Research into the problem of elective mutism and functional speech disorders has not been excessive during the past 10 years. Previous to this, however, Black (1966) drew attention to the fact that speech problems have occurred throughout history, and problems of stuttering were recorded in hieroglyphics by the ancient Egyptians.

The British Association for Behavioural Psychotherapy (BABP) is not competent to answer fully every question asked by the D.H.S.S. Committee of Enquiry, and it has consequently restricted its evidence to those areas where behavioural psychotherapy has obvious and relevant contributions to make.

John Marzillier (BABP last issue) has taken exception to our review of Mahoney's Cognition and Behaviour Modification and it behooves us to add a note in defence or justification. The most cogent way of doing this is to comment in turn on each of the major points made by Marzillier.