§ Q7. Mr. Brooksasked the Prime Minister whether he will now announce the date on which the transfer of Ministerial responsibility for the education of mentally-handicapped children in England and Wales will be effected.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 8th May.—[Vol. 783, c. 128.]
§ Mr. BrooksAre any difficulties arising in the speedy implementation of these proposals? Are any difficulties arising in the implementation of the Seebohm Report for similar reasons of professional demarcation?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of any difficulties. The consultation paper asking for the views of all bodies affected has been sent to more than 20 local authority, professional and other bodies which have been asked to submit their views by the end of June, and I hope that after that we shall be able to proceed to make the necessary arrangements and ultimately to introduce the necessary legislation. A great deal of work is being done on the Seebohm recommendations. I am not aware that any special difficulties have arisen, but there is a need for consultation and not much progress can be made until we see the future shape of local government following the report of the Redcliffe-Maud Commission.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonDoes that reply mean that the Prime Minister can give no estimate when this welcome reform will become effective in the institutions concerned?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. But we can begin to make progress as soon as 1644 we have had the replies from the bodies consulted which are due to reply by the end of June.