§ Mr. Bishopasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the circular issued jointly to local authorities over a year ago by the Department of Education and Science and the Ministry of Health seeking the co-ordination of the education, health and welfare services for handicapped children and young people is insufficient for its purpose; whether he will therefore take steps to transfer 130W responsibility for the education of such children to a single Department, namely the Department of Education and Science, as recommended by the Confederation for the Advancement of State Education; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterMy understanding is that the circular has served its purpose well. The question of the responsibility for the education of children suffering from a disability of mind which makes them incapable of receiving education at school is a separate issue which is kept under constant review by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Minister of Health.