§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions she has had with local education authorities to provide facilities to assist disabled pupils and students.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasLocal education authorities are consulted through their associations about policy developments in this as in other areas, and the Department is in frequent touch with individual authorities, particularly in view of the 45 per cent. increase in capital expenditure on special education which has been authorised for the first three years of the White Paper period compared with the three years preceding. The Department issued a circular in August 1970 in conjunction with the three other Departments concerned drawing attention to, and commenting on, the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Section 8 of that Act dealt with access to, and facilities at, schools, colleges and universities to meet the needs of the disabled.