§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will relax current limitations on the minor works programme, specifically in order to enable more local education authorities to adapt existing educational buildings in the interests of disabled children, students and teachers ; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe information available suggests that local education authorities are showing proper regard for Section 8 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 over sanitary facilities, access and car parking when preparing proposals for new or remodelled school buildings. My Department is not aware of any particular difficulties relating to such provision arising in connection with the minor works programme. Local education authorities allocate their minor works resources according to their own priorities, and are free to include projects to meet the needs of handicapped children, students and teachers.